River Fire Leads to Drug Arrest
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, February 20th, 2025
On Sunday, February 16th, at 6:50 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, Fillmore City Fire, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a small fire in a homeless encampment in the Santa Clara River near River Street and Willow Street, east of Gasway Drive. Deputies at the scene contacted a known subject at the location who admitted to starting a warming fire. During police contact, known subject displayed signs and symptoms of recent drug use. A 7-step DAR evaluation determined the subject was under the influence of a CNS stimulant. The subject admitted to using methamphetamine earlier in the day and provided a urine sample, testing positive for methamphetamine and ADMA. The subject was arrested for violating HS11550(a) and HS 13001, and booked into the Pre Trial-Detention Facility. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
On Sunday, February 16th, at 6:50 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, Fillmore City Fire, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a small fire in a homeless encampment in the Santa Clara River near River Street and Willow Street, east of Gasway Drive. Deputies at the scene contacted a known subject at the location who admitted to starting a warming fire. During police contact, known subject displayed signs and symptoms of recent drug use. A 7-step DAR evaluation determined the subject was under the influence of a CNS stimulant. The subject admitted to using methamphetamine earlier in the day and provided a urine sample, testing positive for methamphetamine and ADMA. The subject was arrested for violating HS11550(a) and HS 13001, and booked into the Pre Trial-Detention Facility. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.