By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Kristian Fonseca, 25 of Fillmore, will be standing trial on murder charges connected with the death of two Santa Paula men over three years ago. Fonseca is accused of shooting Jose Estrada, 24, and Daniel Zuniga, 25 on October 24, 2020, in the 200 block of East Ventura Street, Santa Paula. A third victim was hospitalized with injuries but survived. He is also facing an attempted murder charge in a shooting in Ventura in 2019. Fonseca has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in the VC Jail on a $3 million bail. ORIGINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASES - 10/24/2020 UPDATE: On Thursday 12/10/2020 SPPD Detectives completed the investigation into the October 24, 2020 shooting which claimed the lives of two people. During the investigation Kristian Fonseca of Fillmore was identified as a person of interest. Fonseca was arrested by SPPD Special Enforcement Officers on October 27, 2020 on an unrelated warrant. SPPD Detectives conducted the investigation and on December 10, 2020, Fonseca was charged by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in relation to the October 24, 2020 shooting. Fonseca has been in custody since October 27, 2020 on charges unrelated to the homicide. CONTACT PERSON: Detective Hector Ramirez APPROVED BY: Commander Scott Varner District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced on Thursday, December 11th that Kristian Fonseca (DOB 10/07/98) of Fillmore, has been charged with the murder of Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga, both of Santa Paula. The complaint charges two counts of murder with a special allegation that Fonseca personally used a firearm in the commission of the crimes. Fonseca was also charged with one count of attempted murder with a special allegation that he personally used a firearm, for the shooting of Rafael Hernandez, of Santa Paula, in the same incident. Mr. Estrada and Mr. Zuniga were fatally shot on East Ventura Street in Santa Paula in the late evening hours of October 24, 2020. Mr. Estrada died that day, while Mr. Zuniga remained on life support for two weeks before he died. Mr. Hernandez was shot several times and survived his injuries. Fonseca is currently in custody for an attempted murder that he committed in the city of Ventura in October 2019. He appeared in court on December 10, 2020, and pled not guilty to the new charges. The case is set for an early disposition conference on January 27, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Fonseca is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $3 million. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
On Tuesday, March 12, at 5:25 p.m. Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were on scene investigating a solo vehicle accident eastbound SR126 at Powell Road, Piru. Arriving firefighters found a solo vehicle inside a yard with a patient inside needing minor extrication. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit: Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
On Sunday, March 10, at 10:14 p.m., a Fillmore deputy made contact with an individual who was under the influence. The subject resisted deputies while being placed into custody. The subject kicked a deputy while in custody and was booked for PC 148(a)(1), PC 647)f), and PC 69(a). The subject was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail Facility. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
A Fillmore resident was arrested for lewd conduct in public after an investigation revealed he was touching his genitals for sexual gratification while at Sierra High School. On March 6th, 2024, two female juveniles were walking through the parking lot at Sierra High School when they observed a male subject sitting in a parked vehicle. As one of the female juveniles walked past the male subject, she observed him touching his genitals in a manner that was consistent with being for sexual gratification. The female juveniles left the area in their vehicle and were believed to have been followed by the same male subject to the Starbucks parking lot in Fillmore. The male subject left the area after a short time and the juvenile’s parents reported the incident to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The Fillmore Investigations Bureau investigated the incident and worked extensively over the next few days to identity the male subject. Through surveillance camera footage, community assistance, and various investigative techniques, investigators identified the suspect as Ivan Alejandro Valdez. Investigators contacted Ivan Alejandro Valdez in the 700 Block of Edison Lane, City of Fillmore, and arrested him for being in violation of Penal Code § 647a – Lewd Conduct in Public. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to speak to your children about “Stranger Danger” and to report suspicious behavior by calling Ventura County Sheriff’s Communications Center at (805) 654-9511 or 911 for any emergencies. When reporting suspicious behavior, please be a great witness and provide as much detail as possible. With so many individuals now having cellular phones with cameras, remember to take a photo if it safe to do so, it truly helps. Report Number: 24-28397 Prepared by: Senior Deputy Dustin Heersche |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Last week, the Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Club in partner with Channel Islands Bike Club secured grant funds to help purchase equipment for the kids to utilize. Pictured left to right: Kurt Wilkinson and Val Gordon of representatives from CI Bike Club, Jan Marholin, Maricela Soriano, and Melissa Hermosillo. Photo credit Michael Durazo, SCV B & G Club Special Events Coordinator. Local Boys & Girls Club Directors have been working with Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike) which received grants for four Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Clubs. Grant funds will be used to purchase a bicycle rack for each site and locks, lights, helmets, and reflectors for the youth that cycle to and from these Boys & Girls Club locations, including Fillmore and many mansions Piru sites. The Boys & Girls Clubs and CIBike’s purpose is to help these youth be safer while commuting by bicycle. CIBike Mission Statement: The Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike) is an inclusive, non-profit organization that promotes bicycling for recreation, health, sport, and transportation in Ventura County and beyond. CiBike is committed to increasing awareness, skills, and safety for cyclists through worthy programs, grants, and partnering with agencies that share our vision of fun and safe cycling. |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Work has begun to repair the damage to the Old Telegraph bridge, caused by February’s storms. On Monday, March 11, heavy equipment could be seen starting the repairs. Old Telegraph Road was closed between C Street and Grand Avenue on February 5th, while County Public Works assessed possible structural damage—it remains closed. According to Ventura County Public works, “Severe washout under abutments on west end of Bridge No. 487. Emergency O&M response. To be assessed by DAT Team after rain event.” Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
Pictured (l-r) are National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee Sergio Torres, Fillmore High School Head Football Coach Charlie Weis, and National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Inductee David Jimenez. Photo courtesy Fillmore Unified School District Blog. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Courtesy Fillmore Unified School District Blog https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2... Jimenez and Torres were selected based on their exemplary scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and competitive excellence in football. They received HFF rings, certificates, and their names will be forever enshrined in the NFF Hall of Fame in Atlanta Georgia. FUSD Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “Please join the entire Fillmore Unified School District in congratulating David and Sergio for being the first Flashes ever inducted in the National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame. We are all proud of you!” |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Pictured (l-r) are Kianna Toyoolea, Coach Cindy Blatt, teacher Hannah Faith and Bibiana Ortega attending the Fillmore Rotary Club. They were presented with a donation check for $500 for the Fillmore High School Swim Team. Presenting the check was Rotarian Andy Klittich. Photo credit Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 7th, 2024
On Saturday, March 2, at 11:26 p.m., a Fillmore deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop on a brown Kia Soul driving in Fillmore, matching the description from an earlier call in the day, where three vehicles were seen with multiple subjects throwing beer bottles at a residence in what is believed to be gang related. The incident was reported in the 700 block of A Street at approximately 5pm. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Oxnard and per a witness, deputies were able to confirm the suspect vehicle when deputies attempted to make a traffic stop. However, the driver failed to yield, leading deputies on a pursuit throughout Fillmore city limits before the suspects ran from the vehicles in the 500 block of Mockingbird Lane. While deputies were setting up a perimeter, a deputy spotted a suspect running and the suspect was arrested. Two additional suspects were also arrested after hiding residential yards. The suspects were taken to VC Juvenile Hall for unknown charges. If you have witnessed or have information, contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805)654-9511. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91. Enlarge Photo |
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, March 7th, 2024
The Fillmore Investigations Bureau is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying a subject responsible for numerous graffiti vandalism crimes throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our community. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective John Grunhold or Detective Dustin Heersche at (805) 524-2233 or call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Photo and Story credit Fillmore Police Department Instagram. Enlarge Photo |