Recently, police in Ventura arrested three gang members on outstanding warrants, possession of a gun, and narcotics charges. The first arrest came when detectives saw a vehicle with an equipment violation and conducted a traffic stop. After approaching the vehicle and seeing who was inside, detectives noticed that the passenger was a documented gang member, on parole, and had two outstanding warrants.
Upon searching the vehicle, the detectives found an unregistered firearm. It’s illegal in California for a felon to be in possession of a firearm, so the passenger was arrested on his two outstanding warrants and a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
Felon in possession of a firearm is covered under California Penal Code 29800(a)(1) PC and makes it illegal for a convicted felon or person with outstanding felony warrants to possess, own, or purchase a firearm in California. Violations of this law are always considered a felony-level offense. The potential penalties include up to three years in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
The next arrests came when detectives working in the gang unit conducted a probation search. The search took place in a motel room and the detectives found drug paraphernalia related to the selling of narcotics, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and Xanax. In addition to the drugs, detectives discovered an unregistered 9mm, a Tech 9, high capacity magazines and weapon ammunition.
Two people were arrested after the discoveries were made and taken to the Ventura County Jail.
It’s unknown which charges the latter two suspects are facing, though they are probably significant. If it’s proven that they were selling the drugs they had in their possession, they face up to 9 years in state prison and fines of up to $20,000. As far as the weapons charges go, they could face significant additional time behind bars.
