Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On July 25, 2011, at approximately 7:37 AM., the Service manager for William L. Morris Chevrolet dealership in Fillmore reported to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office that multiple vehicles on the dealership lot appeared to have been vandalized and possibly burglarized as well. Deputies from the Fillmore Police Department responded to investigate the crime and determined that during the over-night hours, a total of seven Chevrolet Sport Utility Vehicles had been burglarized. It appears the suspect(s) forced entry into the vehicles and targeted the third row seats and the in-dash GPS systems of the vehicles.

The Fillmore Police Department Investigations Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information about the crime or the identity of the suspects, or their whereabouts, is asked to contact either Detective Mario Aguilar or Detective Darin Hendren at (805) 524-2233.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000.00 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. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Multiple 459 PC – Vehicle Burglaries
Location: William L Morris Chevrolet Dealership / Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time/ RB#: July 25, 2011 @ 07: 37 A.M. / RB# 11-16765
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department / Ventura County Sheriff's Office CSI Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of Residence Age
Unknown
Officer Preparing Release: Detective Mario Aguilar
Follow-up Contact: Detective Mario Aguilar
Date of Release: July 27, 2011
Approved By: Capt. Monica McGrath

Fillmore residents Katie Ramirez and her son Jason in Rome. They were with a group of 300 who went to Rome for the Official Pallium Pilgrimage.
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On June 25, my mother, Katie Ramirez and I journeyed with a group of three hundred to Rome for the Official Pallium Pilgrimage to witness Archbishop Jose H. Gomez receive the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI. Also, those from Fillmore who attended the pilgrimage were Vern and Joann Arnold, Ray Talley, Geraldine Lee, and Kathy Otis.

During our week there, we visited Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and Santi Quattro Coronati and celebrated mass with Archbishop Gomez and Cardinal Mahoney, along with Auxiliary Bishops from Los Angeles and several Monsignors, and Priest. Also in attendance were Monsignor Joseph Hernandez and Father John Garnica. We were fortunate to have charismatic and knowledgeable tour guides who shared a wealth of information regarding the history of Rome as well as inside the Balilicas and the beautiful architecture, mosaics, and sculptures inside these spiritual and gorgeous buildings.

Some of the highlights were an afternoon tour of Rome including Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and Piazza Navona. We also attended a full-day excursion to Assisi, where we celebrated Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Getting up early in the morning, jogging through the streets of Rome and observing the beauty that is the city of Rome were also among the many memorable experiences.

The highlight of the trip was three days of touring the Vatican City. We were able to have a walking tour of the Basilica of St. Peter. The size and beauty of this Basilica is truly indescribable. The mosaics and sculptures are breathtaking. My personal favorite was La Pieta by Michelangelo. This sculpture is so powerful. On Tuesday, we celebrated mass within St. Peter with all in attendance from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. On Wednesday, we were blessed to attend the Pallium Mass at St. Peter’s on the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, where Archbishop Gomez received the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI. This was such an honor and privilege to be in attendance and celebrate mass given by the Holy Father. On Thursday, we attended a Special Audience with his Eminence. To be in his presence was a once in a lifetime experience.

This trip was amazing on multiple levels; to visit the Basilicas and celebrate mass, attend a mass given by the Holy Father, witness the beauty that is Rome, and go on this journey with my mother was a blessing. Also, as a 6th grade teacher in which Ancient Rome is part of our curriculum, to share photos and stories of Rome will only bring this ancient civilization more to life for my students.

On July 11, 2011 MacKenzie & Albritton LLP, attorney for Verizon Wireless, sent an eight page letter to Fillmore Mayor Gayle Washburn, Councilmembers Brooks, Walker, Conaway and Sipes, and City Attorney Ted Schneider, with attachments. The letter addressed the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval of a Verizon cellular tower and the Fillmore City Council’s appeal of that approval.

Following are excerpts from the letter.

The city narrowly avoided a lawsuit by Verizon Wireless by withdrawing their ‘appeal’ at the July 12th council meeting after closed session held with Schneider, where the letter was considered. Highlights of the letter are: Unreasonable Discrimination in violation of the Telecommunications Act; Due Process, Brown Act and Government Code Violations; Failure to provide Verizon Wireless with a record of the proceedings; Failure to state objections in the Appeal documents; Failure to place consideration of an appeal vote on the agenda; Lack of authority to file the Appeal; and Expression of Bias and Usurpation of Planning Commission’s Authority. Three commissioners resigned over the council’s questionable actions.

THE LETTER
We write on behalf of our client Verizon Wireless to urge that you either withdraw or deny your appeal of the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval of a faux water tank telecommunications facility (the “Approved Facility”) to be located at 310 “A” Street in Fillmore, California (the “Property”). There is no evidence, much less substantial evidence, to reverse the Planning Commission’s approval. This project has been pending since February. In order to comply with the FCC’s Rules regarding “unreasonable delay” beyond 150 days, the project should now be finally approved.

The Council’s appeal is CONTINUED »

Teamwork was the word of the day last Saturday when Kavlico Corp. of Moorpark and its parent company Custom Sensors Technology worked on two Habitat for Humanity homes in Piru.

The four bedroom two bath homes, which are owned by the Orozco and Vergara families, are nearly complete, as the teams worked on painting the interior and exterior, and trenches were dug for a retaining wall, and sewer and water lines.

Blistering heat accompanied the day but the dedicated workers pitched in with paint brushes, shovel and hammer to accomplish their goals.

John Kistler, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity in Ventura County, was on-site to direct the volunteers and homeowner Maria Orozco. Kistler said a lot of organizing goes into directing the different volunteers who show up each week. But at the end of the day, the volunteers are glad they put in the work, said Kistler.

Kavlico employee Juanita Pena said working for Habitat is a great feeling, giving back to the community. She recommended it to anyone.

Adam Tabakian, director of sales and marketing at Kavlico said that working together on a project like Habitat is an excellent way for employees to get together.

For more information go to www.habitatventura.org.

Nicholas Klopp

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Nicholas Klopp 27, of Piru, was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with a hate crime special allegation, assault, and violation of civil rights, by a Ventura
County jury.

On the evening of December 18, 2010, Brian Schumacher and Aaron Argueta were assaulted outside the Osabi restaurant in Ventura after attending a birthday party for a friend. Mr. Schumacher was hit in the face with a glass thrown by Klopp and Mr. Argueta was punched in the face by Klopp. Before and during the assault, Klopp yelled derogatory statements regarding the race and sexual orientation of the victims and members of their group.

Klopp was immediately taken into custody following the verdict.

Sentencing is set for August 18, 2011, at 8:30 a.m., in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

On Friday, July 22nd I had an exciting opportunity to attend the closing ceremonies of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School. This year's theme was the “Shake it Up Cafe Where Kids Carry Out God's Recipe!” This year the Bardsdale United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School started on Monday, July 18th and ended on Friday, July 22nd. There were a total of 83 registered children ages 2 years to 14 years who attended each day from 9:00 am. to 12:00 noon at the Church. The cost to each participant was $10 which also included daily healthy snacks.

The Director of this years program, and for the previous four year's, Sharon Hurd, told me there were 14 staff, 31 volunteers and 10 youth leaders participating and assisting in this year's Vacation Bible School. Of the 83 children ten were Pre-Schoolers. The Bardsdale United Methodist Church's Pastor Kent Fromer told me, “We couldn't have done this program and the programs year after year without the hard work of the Vacation Bible School Director Sharon Hurd and all the hard work of the many volunteers, youth leaders and staff! Sharon begins preparing for the Vacation Bible School months in advance and works many hours selecting the theme and lining up the volunteers and staff in order to have a meaningful Vacation Bible School!”

One of the staff members explained to me the choice and meaning of this year's theme: “The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School, Shake it Up Cafe was chosen because Jesus calls us to “shake up” our lives and become his followers. The Bible gives us the recipe and the Vacation Bible School introduces the children to stories of biblical festivals that reveal these ingredients and link the Old Testament, the New Testament, and our lives today. Each day a different lesson was selected and a recipe utilized as a teaching tool; Israelites Celebrate Passover, Festival Celebrations for the Israelites, Jesus Celebrates the Festival Booths, Jesus Celebrates Passover and Celebrating the Festival of Weeks and Pentecost.”

In addition to learning the daily lessons each participant was taught the lesson of giving to others less fortunate and were encouraged to bring a daily donation to be shared equally between two selected causes. The first cause to help feed needy families and individuals through the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fillmore. The Church serves daily meals to 110 people at their Church. The other is the Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) in Ventura County. C.A.R.L. advocates for animal welfare, seeking to end the needless deaths of companion animals through adoption, education and outreach programs. At the end of the week $225 had been collected and divide equally among the two selected programs.

Alfred Johnson, 67 of Fillmore, has been ordered to stand trial for dealing drugs at the Fillmore Senior Apartments, 400 block Santa Clara Street, following a preliminary hearing which also discovered he is a convicted murderer. It was revealed that Johnson has a prior strike for the 1960’s murder in Los Angeles County and served prison time.

On January 20, 2011, the Sheriff’s West County Street Narcotics Team concluded a month long narcotic sales investigation on Johnson.

Investigators received information that Johnson was selling Oxycodone from his apartment unit, which is part of a senior citizen living community complex. Investigators obtained enough evidence to get a search warrant for Johnson’s apartment unit. The search revealed approximately 1,000 medication pills the vast majority of them being Oxycodone and other opiate derivative medications. In addition, packaging material for sales, pay ledgers and surveillance cameras were found in the apartment unit. Johnson was taken into custody without incident for possessing opiate medication for the purpose of sales. Johnson’s bail was set at $55,000.00 and his arraignment was held January 24, 2011.

He is now free on bail.

Sierra Huerta

Sierra Huerta, Fillmore, was crowned the national 11/12 year old champion girl in the Aquafina MLB Pitch Hit & Run Competition at Chase Field in Arizona during the MLB All-Star festivities last week.

Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run is a grassroots program that was initiated in 1996 to provide youth across North America with an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball and softball skills. Free to boys and girls between the ages of 7-14, this year's Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run program had more than 600,000 participants in over 4,000 local competitions. The program features local, sectional and team championships, culminating at the National Finals. The top three male and female competitors from each of the four divisions (7-8 year olds; 9-10 year olds; 11-12 year olds; and 13-14 year olds) advance to the National Finals.

Huerta, representing the L.A. Dodgers, competed against two other girls, The Atlanta Braves rep from Jonesborough, TN and the Cincinnati Reds rep from Flemingsburg, KY. The girls represented the top three in the nation. Huerta defeated them both and was declared the National Champion.

In addition to her individual efforts, Sierra and her twin sister Bailey as well as local teammate Taylor Brown are members of the So Cal Choppers team based in Valencia. They are on their way to ASA Nationals to be held the first week of August in Montgomery, Alabama.

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In June of 2011, Sheriff’s Narcotics investigators located a large marijuana growing operation in the Los Padres National Forest, north of the city of Ojai. Several large plots were found on the north slope of Pine Mountain, east of Highway 33 and south of Lockwood Valley Road.

On July 13, 2011, members of the Sheriff’s Narcotic Unit, Sheriff’s Air Unit, Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Intelligence Unit, Ventura County District Attorneys Office, Ventura County Fire Department, Oxnard Police Department and the United States Forest Service (USFS) participated in the eradication operation.

After being airlifted to various sites on the mountain, investigators discovered several campsites used by the growers. These consisted of several hundred pounds of equipment including tents, propane stoves, sleeping bags, fertilizers, pesticides, along with and an enormous amount of trash. Detectives located a 9mm handgun, a .22 calibre rifle and ammunition for a variety of other handguns and rifles. There was evidence of poaching as the remains of deer and other small animals were located near the camps.

Several water reservoirs, lined with plastic tarps, were found dug into the terrain. These reservoirs were supplied by water diverted from their natural course. Gravity fed irrigation lines led to the cultivation locations. Several thousand feet of irrigation hose was spread throughout the hillside to provide water to the plants.

Huge sections of land had been terraced and the underbrush removed, leaving only a thin canopy to hide the growing marijuana. Bags of fertilizer, pesticides and poisons were found within each of the cultivation areas.
Approximately 68,488 marijuana plants were eradicated during this operation, making this the single largest cultivation seized in Ventura County history. Estimated street value of the marijuana is $205,464,000. This brings the season total for eradicated marijuana to over 100,000 plants. No suspects have been arrested at this time, however, the investigation is continuing.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to warn those using the Ventura County backcountry to be on the lookout for marijuana growers. The high rain fall this year has produced optimum growing conditions in the mountains. If suspicious activity is found, please notify law enforcement as soon as possible.

Location: Los Padres National Forest north of Ojai
Date & Time/ RB#: July 13, 2011
Unit Responsible: Special Services – Narcotics – West County Street Team
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of Residence Age
Officer Preparing Release: Sgt Mike Horne
Follow-up Contact: Sgt Mike Horne
Date of Release: July 13, 2011