On March 29, 2023, deputies assigned to the Fillmore station and West County Special Enforcement Unit contacted and arrested numerous subjects for various violations, including narcotics and the possession of a short-barreled rifle.
During the month of March of 2023, deputies assigned to the Fillmore station received information related to probationers and drug users who were frequenting a residence located in the 200 block of Fillmore Street. Detectives followed up on the information and began an investigation.

On March 29, 2023, detectives conducted surveillance operations and witnessed activity at the residence that was consistent with possible narcotics trafficking. During the surveillance, deputies observed Jayden Mercado arrive at the residence in his vehicle and leave a short time later. Deputies, including a K9 Unit, conducted a traffic stop of Mercado and subsequently arrested him for being under the influence of a controlled substance. During a search of Mercado’s vehicle, deputies located a loaded, short-barreled, .22 caliber rifle, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

Mercado is a Santa Paula resident, and his previous criminal convictions prohibit him from owning and or possessing firearms or ammunition. Mercado was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for various drug and illegal firearm charges. Following Mercado’s arrest, deputies conducted a probation search at the residence in the 200 block of Fillmore Street. During the probation search, deputies contacted and arrested Albert Morales, Diana Raya, and Jessica Quezada for narcotics related charges. All four subjects were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Report Number: 23-39641
Location: 200 Block of Fillmore Street / Fillmore Ca.
Date & Time: March 29, 2023 @ 2:30 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services / Fillmore Detective Bureau / West County Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S-1) Albert Morales Fillmore 43
(S-2) Rafael Prado Santa Paula 26
(S-3) Diana Raya Fillmore 23
(S-4) Jessica Quezada Santa Paula 26
(S-5) Jayden Mercado Santa Paula 25
Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

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Possible Drug Overdose to be Determined by County Medical Examiner

Fillmore Fire Department Engine 91 and AMR Paramedics responded to an overdose reportedly in the bathroom at Vons, 600 block Ventura Street, on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 1:00am. The male subject was discovered by Vons’ night crew, deceased, in what appeared to be a drug overdose. The subject was a known drug user and had previous arrests for drug related charges, according to Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. Deputies located paraphernalia with residue believed to be Fentanyl, but the cause and manner of death will be determined by the county medical examiner. On Sunday, March 16, a male subject who had overdosed across the street from Fillmore City Hall was treated with Naloxone and transported to the hospital for further aid. Because he responded to the opioid antagonist authorities believe he overdosed on an opioid, however deputies did not locate any narcotics or paraphernalia that would confirm if it was an opioid such as fentanyl or heroin. The subject is also a known drug abuser and has overdosed on numerous other occasions, according to Chief Malagon. “Our deputies have made arrests for subjects under the influence of various controlled substances, and the possession of minor quantities of Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. These arrests have taken place in Fillmore and surrounding unincorporated areas. Fentanyl is very dangerous and unfortunately very common throughout the entire county.” Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – April 4, 2023 – The City of Fillmore has launched a new Homelessness Services and Information Hub webpage, now available at https://www.fillmoreca.com/1295/Homelessness. The webpage was developed in an effort to provide a one-stop-shop of resources and information for the public and to offer a more open and transparent platform regarding homelessness in Fillmore. The webpage serves as a multifaceted information and resource hub for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Fillmore and as a localized platform where all community members can learn more about the City’s efforts to combat homelessness.

According to City Manager, David W. Rowlands, “This new webpage is a resource hub for everyone and will provide information to our residents about the ongoing efforts and measures the City is currently partaking in to address homelessness in Fillmore. The new webpage features an array of critical information for those seeking services”.

The easy-to-navigate webpage is categorized into five sections for easy readability and organization:

1.Homelessness Resources
2. Food Pantries, Other Services, and Utility Assistance
3.Why Handouts Harm
4.Understanding Homelessness
5.Homelessness Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Ventura County 2023 Homeless Point in Time Count revealed five people were identified as experiencing homelessness.

The City is committed to addressing the complexity and challenges of homelessness to the best of its abilities. Future plans include community education, leveraging social media, seeking opportunities for regional cooperation, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Please visit the new website at www.fillmoreca.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish Sergeant Kevin Vaden and Senior Deputy Cesar Salas a very happy and well-deserved retirement. Kevin and Cesar are both ending their law enforcement career at the Fillmore/Santa Clara Valley station. Kevin will be exploring new trails after 35 years of dedicated service to the law enforcement profession, and Cesar will be off to new adventures after 29 years of service. Kevin and Cesar, congratulations on your retirement and thank you both for your service! Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

DON AGUILAR
Interim Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE

March 27, 2023

Student Arrested for Possession of a Handgun

Santa Paula, Calif. – A 16-year-old student was arrested on campus of Santa Paula High School on March 24, 2023, for possession of a handgun and was placed into the Juvenile Justice Center.

On Friday, March 24, 2023, a school resource officer (SRO) followed up on information discovered on social media regarding a student possibly in possession of a firearm. Although there was no information or statements of a threat, the SRO used an abundance of caution. Through investigation, the SRO was able to identify the student and worked with school administration, security staff, and additional police officers to swiftly locate the student and removed him from the classroom. After the student and backpack were removed from the classroom, the police officers conducted a search of his backpack.

A handgun, ammunition, and an ammunition magazine were located in the student’s backpack. No other weapons or ammunition were found on his person or in his locker. A message was sent to parents through the Santa Paula Unified School District shortly after the student was arrested and removed from the campus. In addition to the arrest, the student also faces an administrative review.

This serious matter is a reminder for parents and/or guardians to monitor the contents of backpacks and other items brought on campus. Please regularly monitor/evaluate student’s use of social media, cell phones, and computers/laptops. Remind students if they see something, say something to parents/guardians, teachers, school staff, or SRO’s.
If anyone has information regarding weapons on school campuses, please notify the
Santa Paula Police Department immediately by dialing 911.

Tips can be reported anonymously to WeTip by calling (800) 782- 7463 or visiting:
https://mobile.catapultems.com/santa-paula-usd/Sites

Agency Responsible: Santa Paula Police Department

Press Release Prepared by: Interim Police Chief Don Aguilar

Join us on Twitter @SP_Police, Instagram @SantaPaulaPoliceDepartment, FaceBook – Santa Paula Police Department and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety
alerts and advisories.

On March 20, 2023 Fillmore City Council Member Lynn Edmounds was given the “California Woman Making Herstory Award’’ at the State Capitol in Sacramento by Assemblyman Steve Bennett pictured above is her with the proclamation.
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On March 20, 2023, Lynn Edmonds received the prestigious “California Woman Making Herstory Award” in the State Capitol by Assemblyman Steve Bennett. Lynn Edmonds Honored in Sacramento as “Ventura County Woman of the Year” is joined in this honor by the countless extraordinary women who have shaped our state and country’s collective past. Each of the 69 California Counties was given the opportunity to recognize a woman who has made significant contributions to that county. Lynn Edmonds was cofounder of the Fillmore youth nonprofit One Step a la Vez, has been an exceptional advocate, continuously working to expand opportunities to her community’s youth and families. In her time as an educator, nonprofit leader and council member, Lynn dedicated herself to ensuring access to services to the entire Fillmore Community. Lynn served on many local organizations in the Fillmore and in the Santa Clarita Valley, including the founding board of the Fillmore Boys and Girls Club, founder of the Fillmore/Piru Big Brothers Sister Program and co-founder of the One Step a la Vez Program. She also was on the county wide committees Ventura Transportation Commission, Air Pollution Control Board, Regional Sanitation Control Board, Heritage Valley Transportation Committee and Heritage Valley Tourism Board. From 2018-2022, Lynn served on the Fillmore City Council where she was focused on prioritizing bilingual English and Spanish communication between the city and residents, increase affordable housing, protecting the environment and community economic revitalization.