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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 2/4/2015, Ventura County Sheriff’s patrol deputies working the Oak Park area stopped a vehicle for a minor violation. They contacted the driver, James Alvarez and his passengers Elroy Orduno and Albert Penuelas. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered Alvarez was on active probation in Ventura County and the vehicle he was driving belonged to Orduno. They invoked Alvarez’s probation search terms and searched Alvarez and the vehicle. Deputies located two pounds of high grade marijuana inside the vehicle. Deputies arrested all three subjects for conspiracy and possession for sales of marijuana. Deputies later determined Penuelas provided them false identifying information. The deputies were able to determine his true name and discovered he had two outstanding felony warrants. Narcotic Detectives assisted with the investigation and served a search warrant at Orduno’s residence located on the 300 block of Alder Springs Drive in Oak Park. Officers with the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Team (DET) assisted Narcotic Detectives with the service of the search warrant. They contacted and detained Orduno’s girlfriend, Penny Vitela and their two minor children, ages 4 and 6, inside the residence. During the search of the residence, detectives located about two thousand Xanax pills, over 22 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of cocaine, small amount of marijuana and a loaded shotgun. The condition of the house was unkempt and some of the drugs were found in locations that were within arm’s reach for the minor children. Based on the circumstances, detectives began a Drug Endangered Children (DEC) investigation. Child Protective Services was contacted and notified of the situation. They immediately responded to assist with the investigation. At the conclusion, Child Protective Services took custody of the children and removed them from the home. The children’s mother, Penny Vitela was arrested for child endangerment and she was later booked into the Main Jail in Ventura. Her bail is set at $50,000 Elroy Orduno was arrested for violations of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, possession for sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, and child endangerment. His bail is set at $70,000 James Alvarez was arrested for Transportation of Marijuana and his bail is set at $50,000 Albert Penuelas was arrested for giving false information to a peace officer and conspiracy to transport marijuana and two felony warrants. All four subjects are set to appear in court on February 6th, at 1:30 PM. Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrests |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
City anticipates Fillmore Senior Center, Inc. lawsuit
 On behalf of the City of Fillmore Mayor Douglas Tucker received a Gold plaque presented by Representative Sue Hughes. The City earned the Emerging Energy Leader Award for its energy conservation. The February 10, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting was filled to capacity. It began with a proclamation, a reward and an announcement. The Council then went into Closed Session for over two hours discussing the rental agreement with the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI) before returning to the Council Chambers. The proclamation was presented to the Fillmore Raiders Cheerleaders for their 2nd National Title. The 2014-15 Raiders Cheerleader Squad are JAZ International Champions. The squad won First Place in Las Vegas on January 25, 2015. The squad members are: Ryleigh Westrup, Angelina Delgadillo, Daniella Lucas, Alyssa Brooks, Tatyana Villella, Hennassy Marquez, Maddie Davis, Aiesa Rodriquez, Jada Plummer, Natalie Cruz, Valeria Cruz, Jazmine Chavez, Sasha Segovia, Alexis VanWhy, Jayni Rolfe, Jordyn Rolfe, Mersaydez Cardona, Lilliana Contreras and Daisy Andrade. The coaches are Caitlin McCall, Taylor Wright, Sadie Ortiz, Tanya Barrera, Tami Rolfe, Ellyse Lucas, Rebecca Ibarra, Tina Hurtado and Lori Nunez. Mayor Doug Tucker spoke of their superior sportsmanship and civic pride adding that many of participants are Honor Role students. The item that kept the Council in closed session for over two hours of discussion was whether to renew the rental By Jean McLeod The February 10, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting was filled to capacity. It began with a proclamation, a reward and an announcement. The Council then went into Closed Session for over two hours discussing the rental agreement with the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI) before returning to the Council Chambers. The proclamation was presented to the Fillmore Raiders Cheerleaders for their 2nd National Title. The 2014-15 Raiders Cheerleader Squad are JAZ International Champions. The squad won First Place in Las Vegas on January 25, 2015. The squad members are: Ryleigh Westrup, Angelina Delgadillo, Daniella Lucas, Alyssa Brooks, Tatyana Villella, Hennassy Marquez, Maddie Davis, Aiesa Rodriquez, Jada Plummer, Natalie Cruz, Valeria Cruz, Jazmine Chavez, Sasha Segovia, Alexis VanWhy, Jayni Rolfe, Jordyn Rolfe, Mersaydez Cardona, Lilliana Contreras and Daisy Andrade. The coaches are Caitlin McCall, Taylor Wright, Sadie Ortiz, Tanya Barrera, Tami Rolfe, Ellyse Lucas, Rebecca Ibarra, Tina Hurtado and Lori Nunez. Mayor Doug Tucker spoke of their superior sportsmanship and civic pride adding that many of participants are Honor Role students. The item that CONTINUED » |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
 Christopher Hammond A Burglary took place at 8:13am, 100 block E. Telegraph Road, on Sunday, February 8, 2015. The address contains several businesses on the property. Two of the businesses were burglarized sometime during the night. Deputies determined an employee from a third unrelated business, Christopher Hammond, 30, was the suspect. Hammond was on probation for possession of stolen property. Deputies made contact with Hammond and found him in possession of stolen property from both victims. Hammond was arrested for 459 PC. Fillmore detectives and Burglary Investigators notified and responded. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
 Daniel Freitas On Sunday, February 8, 2015, at approximately 5pm, an alert patrol deputy arrested Daniel Freitas for commercial burglary at the scene of a construction site storage trailer. The deputy was on patrol Sunday near a construction site in the 200 block of Edgewood Drive when he observed Freitas involved in suspicious behavior. Freitas was wearing a hard hat and a yellow vest and appeared to be covering property with a tarp just outside a storage building. Upon making contact with Freitas to investigate the circumstances, the deputy discovered the storage building had been forced open and thousands of dollars in tools removed. Freitas was attempting to conceal the tools then return later and collect them. Freitas was arrested for commercial burglary and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. His bail was set at $70,000. Prepared by: Detective John Fox |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
 On Monday February 9th Seneca Resources donated a $3,500.00 check to the Fillmore Firefighters Foundation. This money will go for training, equipment, tools and Fire Station upgrade. The Fillmore Fire Department and Fillmore Firefighters Foundation appreciates the continued support. Pictured is as follows Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, Assistant fire Chief Bill Herrera, Captain Billy Gabriel, Firefighter/Paramedic Pete Anderson. Seneca Resources employees Chris McDermott, Luke Faith, Louie Morgan, Felix (Joey) Salazar and Eric Morales. Enlarge Photo |
 Officer Thomas Brown, center back, is shown with members of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
Thomas Brown was born in Santa Paula, California. His father, Thomas Brown Sr., was a hardworking businessman who owned a gas station and later Tom’s Tire, an automotive tire business in Santa Paula. His mother was a harder working housewife, who raised three children, and later became the Dietary Supervisor at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. He stated, “My parents taught me that if you are honest and work hard, you will be successful in life.” Tom grew up in Santa Paula with his younger brother and sister and lived there the majority of his life. During his grade school years, he enjoyed karate and playing soccer. During his High School years, he played basketball and football. He graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1985, the same year he met his wife, Paulette. Paulette moved to Santa Paula that year and he thought, he’d better make his move before somebody warns her about his past behavior. They began dating their senior year in high school and were married four years later. After high school, Tom got a job working in the oil fields. He did it for a couple of years and then transitioned into working construction. After a bad winter in the construction business, which means no income, he decided he needed something more consistent to support his family. He had been around cars all his life and worked at his father’s automotive tire store business throughout high school, so he began working for the family business. He worked at the tire store for about ten years and became a successful suspension and alignment mechanic. He eventually became a partner in the business. During this time, his wife and he had two children, Matthew and Tyler, and in 1999 they purchased their first home in Santa Paula. At the age of 35, he decided he wanted to do something different. And, we are pleased he did. He had an uncle and a cousin who were Deputy Sheriffs, and his brother was an Oxnard Police Officer. After talking to them at length about what their careers were like, he decided to make a change. He was hired and later graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy in 2001, where he received the Academic Achievement Award and Marksmanship Award. In 2002, the Brown’s sold their Santa Paula home and moved to Fillmore. And we are pleased he did. His first assignment for the Sheriff’s Office was working at Todd Road Jail, where he spent six short years. While there, he was a Jail Training Officer and cross-trained to work almost every assignment. He was transferred to patrol in Fillmore in 2007 and has worked here ever since. And we are pleased he did. He was lucky to have had two great Field Training Officer’s, Hector Macias and Brian Hackworth, who were both Fillmore residents at the time. Hector and Brian ingrained in him the importance of keeping OUR city safe for our families. During his time working in Fillmore, he has been a Field Training Officer and also worked the Special Enforcement Detail / Fillmore Gang Unit as collateral assignments. He is a member of the Sheriff’s Officer Tactical Response Team and one of go to people when he need a problem solved. Deputy Tom Brown is great example of Law Enforcement Officer that balances the needs of his family, with the needs of his community, and the needs of his profession. He rarely displays a frustration with his duties and has a great ability to communicate with people in their greatest time of need at all ages. His level of maturity and life experiences has given him a rare insight into the ability to communicate to people, not only those that call for law enforcement services, but his law enforcement peers. He possesses or has the contacts to obtain a lot of intelligence on our community. I can think of numerous times I heard Tom would be in the community off-duty, but would spot a crime or wanted suspect and would take law enforcement action to apprehend the suspect. He frequently does his own research and finds solutions to problems and presents the answer in a manner so all may learn. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Monday, February 9th, 2015
 Joshua Graham Packer VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Joshua Graham Packer (DOB 9-21-89), of Ventura, was sentenced today for the brutal triple murders he committed on May 20, 2009, in the Faria Beach community. Davina Husted was 24 weeks pregnant with Grant Husted when they and her husband, Brock Husted, were murdered. Packer pled guilty on December 18, 2014, to three counts of murder, two counts of robbery, one count of burglary, one count of forced oral copulation, eight special circumstances and seven special allegations relative to his use of a gun in the robberies and burglary, and use of a knife in the murders. Each special circumstance conviction made Packer eligible to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Packer gave up all rights to appeal when he pled guilty. Superior Court Judge Patricia Murphy sentenced Packer to 30 years 4 months for his robberies, burglary, forced oral copulation of Davina Husted, the use of a gun in the robberies and burglary, and the use of a knife in the murders. Following service of the 30-year 4-month sentence, Packer will begin serving the first of his three life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders. Packer invaded the home of the Husteds at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 20, 2009. He used a gun to rob them of cash and jewelry. The Husted’s then nine-year-old son observed the robberies. Packer then killed Brock Husted and used a knife to force Davina Husted into an act of oral copulation before killing her and her unborn son. Packer’s identity as the murderer remained unknown for the next 10 months, until DNA that he had left at the scene of the murders was matched to a DNA sample taken from him by law enforcement when he was arrested for a robbery in Santa Barbara County. Packer was subsequently arrested for the murders on April 11, 2010. He was indicted on July 23, 2010, for the murders, robbery and burglary. On May 4, 2012, Packer was indicted on the additional charge of forced oral copulation with the use of a knife. |
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By Fillmore Police Department — Wednesday, February 4th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department On January 16-18th, 2015 the Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 attended the 2015 Law Enforcement Explorer Tactical Competition in Chandler, Arizona. The competition tested the explorers on their ability to effectively handle several different scenarios that Law Enforcement officers encounter on a daily basis, including marijuana field raid, crisis negotiation, hostage rescues, and officer down scenarios. The explorers also participated in physical fitness events that tested their strength and agility. Over 50 explorer posts from over 5 different states attended the competition, including Ventura County Sheriff Office’s: Fillmore, Headquarters, Camarillo, and Ojai explorer post’s in addition to the Simi Valley and Oxnard explorer posts. In the end the Fillmore explorers returned home with several trophies which were: 2nd place in Marijuana Field Raid; 2nd place in Tactical Relay; 2nd place in 10 man TK4 pull. In addition to these team-oriented awards, special recognition was given to Explorer Matthew Hammond for receiving 4th place in the 3 mile run. The Law Enforcement explorer program consists of young men and women ages 14-21 with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Law Enforcement. The explorer program provides law enforcement career experiences, leadership opportunities, educational training, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens in their communities and the nation. If you would like more information about your local explorer program, please contact School Resource Officer, Deputy Leonardo Vazquez at Leonardo.vazquez@ventura.org or 805-947-8150 Nature of Incident: Explorer Tactical Competition |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 4th, 2015
 On Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 6:00pm three horses apparently got loose from their stable and were wandering on Highway 126 at Hooper Canyon Road. Two cars collided with two of the horses on Highway 126, killing both horses and injuring the drivers. One of the drivers had to be extracted from the car. Photos courtesy Sebastian Ramirez. Enlarge Photo |
 Pictured are the Lions Club Speech contestants Jene Torrango, Chris Berrington, Jacob Brooks, Wesley Brecheen and the winner Hannah Bartels. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, February 4th, 2015
On Monday, February 2, Hannah Bartels won out over a talented field of five speakers at the Lions’ Club International Fillmore before a crowd of fifty people. The topic this year was ‘Water Conservation: How Can We Reduce, Recycle and Reclaim?’ Hannah won the first prize of $100 and will next compete at the Zone 8 competition against the winners of other local Lions’ Speech Contests on February 23rd at the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club at 6:00 sharp. The general public is welcome to attend. Hannah is a La Reina High School freshman living in Fillmore and is the daughter of Laura and Bill Bartels. The other talented speakers in the contest were Jacob Brooks, Jene Torrango, Wesley Brecheen and Chris Berrington. Lauren Magdaleno and Bianca Rios also participated. Bill Edmonds, contest chairman stated, “This is the best field of speakers that we’ve had for many, many years.” The judges for this year’s contest were Dr. Cynthia King, The Right Reverend Doctor Harvey Guthrie and Susan Cuttriss. |