City of Fillmore

02/04/14
Forgery
500 Blk. Old Telegraph Rd.
Search Warrant
1000 Blk. Tudor lane
02/05/14
Disturbance Music/Noise
3rd St./A St.
Search Warrant
1100 Blk. El Paso St.
800 Blk. 4th St.
700 Blk. Del Valle Dr.
Keep the Peace
600 Blk. Lemon Way
Vandalism
100 Blk. Sespe Ave.
02/06/14 CONTINUED »

Two motorcyclists collided at the Piru Motocross track on Sunday, killing one and injuring one. A second solo accident also injured a rider.

At approximately 12:30pm Ventura County Fire responded to a head-on accident at the popular motorbike track, located at the 4300 block of Center Street, Piru.

One of the injured was airlifted to Los Robles Hospital, Thousand Oaks, via Air Squad 8; the second was transported by AMR Ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center.

Tommy Aquino, former factory Yamaha rider who most recently raced in the British Superstock Series, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 21.

According to Road Racing World, Aquino started his AMA Pro Road Racing career at the age of 16 in 2008. He raced five AMA Pro seasons. He achieved one win in the Daytona SportBike class in 2011, when he finished third in the Championship, the highlights of his AMA Pro career. He also earned four Daytona SportBike pole positions during his career and led many races.

In 2013, Aquino rode for Team WD-40 in the 1000cc Superstock class of the British Superbike Championship series, and he won a race, finished on the podium three times and placed seventh in the Championship.

Tommy Aquino is survived by his father Tom, his mother Carrie and his younger brother Michael.

Carlos Beltran, Fillmore, 36 of Fillmore, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sale.

Sheriff’s narcotics detectives completed a 7 month narcotics investigation with the arrest of Carlos Beltran of Fillmore for possession of methamphetamine for sale.

In June, 2013, Sheriff’s narcotics detectives received information of a large scale methamphetamine dealer operating in the City of Fillmore. In association with the local office of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, detectives identified Carlos Beltran as a person involved in the methamphetamine sales. During the investigation, it was discovered Beltran was bringing methamphetamine directly from Mexico to sell in Ventura County.

On January 30,2014, investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Oxnard Police Department and the DEA, served a signed search warrant at Beltran’s residence in the 1100 block of Ventura St, Fillmore. At that time, detectives located 3 pounds of methamphetamine. Beltran was taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine for sale and booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

The methamphetamine had an estimated street value of approximately $81,720.00.

Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrest
Report Number: 14-3399
Location: 1100 block Ventura St., Fillmore
Date & Time: January 30, 2014 1130 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Carlos Beltran Fillmore 36
Prepared by: Sergeant M. Horne
Media Release Date: 1/31/2014
Follow-Up Contact: Captain Don Aguilar
805-797-7349
Approved by:

Last Tuesday the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting started with a packed room of over 70 teachers who came with a message for the Board; salary raises. The main agenda item was once again the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and its enormous cost.

The State Budget is providing for a one time funding amount of $766,070.00 that can only be spent on the initial implementation of professional development, instructional material and technology equipment. When asked if that amount will cover all cost associated with CCSS implementation, Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino and Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson both responded that if they are lucky the monies provided in this one time funding will cover about 50% of what is needed.

This huge cost of implementation of the CCSS is becoming a problem for many school districts throughout the country. Forty-five states plus the District of Columbia have signed on to CCSS; many without doing any cost assessment. With the deadline of a January 1, 2014 for implementation having passed, many states are experiencing buyer’s remorse. According to a report on Foxnews.com California is "...estimated to spend approximately $35 million per year, or about $30 per student in testing costs alone."

FUSD's proposed expenditures regarding the one time State funding are: Infrastructure $27,008.60; Site Specific Technology $389,230.91; Staff Development $200,000.00; Instructional Materials $149,830.49. A total of $292,000 which is a little less than half, has been spent so far: $3,000 on Infrastructure, $248,000 on Site Specific Technology, $20,000 Staff Development, $21,000 on Instructional Material.

Throughout the country there CONTINUED »

Tim Hagel

Today, Tim Hagel was named the City’s next Police Chief. Hagel succeeds current Chief Randy Pentis, who is set to retire later this month.

Hagel, a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, emerged as the top pick from a slate of three exceptionally talented candidates. As Chief, Hagel will bring extensive law enforcement experience, a community policing perspective, and a strong background in youth outreach. Hagel currently directs the Sheriff Department’s West County Operations and previously served as the Fillmore Police Chief from 2008 to 2011.

A native of Thousand Oaks, Hagel graduated from Thousand Oaks High School, earned a Bachelor Degree from CSU Northridge, and a Master in Public Administration Degree from CSU Dominguez Hills. “With his distinguished policing background, broad knowledge of Thousand Oaks, and long track record of community engagement, Tim will be a natural fit for our organization,” said City Manager Scott Mitnick. “This selection will ensure continued high caliber public safety leadership for one of California’s safest cities.”

Hagel is credited with developing the Sherriff’s Department’s Literacy Program, which helps fight crime by educating at-risk elementary school students. He also created the State’s first “Adopt-a-Cop” Program, increasing collaboration between Police and area schools.

In commenting on his appointment Hagel said, “It’s a blessing to work for the City I grew up in and I truly look forward to serving the City of Thousand Oaks and maintaining our standing as one of America’s safest cities”.

He will assume his new post beginning Monday, February 24.

The VISTA 126 bus line just got a little more convenient for local riders. Starting Monday, February 3, the line is offering eight more trips between Piru and Fillmore.

Riders can now choose between five routs in the morning, two in the late afternoon, and two evening routs.

The added service is being funded by a temporary agreement between the County Board of Supervisors and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

The VISTA 126 also travels to Santa Paula and is a popular means of transportation to Ventura College, the Pacific View Mall, and The VC Government Center.

For schedules call 1-800-438-1112 or visit www.goventura.org.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

01/28/14
Narcotics Violation
300 Blk. Fillmore St.
Theft
600 Blk. Ventura St.
Search Warrant
700 Blk. Edison Lane
01/29/14
Surveillance
300 Blk. Mountain View St.
Cruelty to Animals
800 Blk. 5th St.
Fight
1st St./Old Telegraph Rd.
Keep the Peace
900 Blk. 2nd St.
Battery
400 Blk. Clay St.
Theft
1100 Blk. Sespe Ave. CONTINUED »

Pictured is Adrian Moreno. A “Spiritual Retreat” will be held in loving memory of Adrian on Saturday, February 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Francis Church. Anyone interested in attending should contact Maggie at 524-1306 no later than Thursday for food purposes.

On the night of January 11, 2014, Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to a gunshot victim on the roadway of Grand Avenue. The gunshot victim, later identified as 18 year old Adrian Moreno, was pronounced dead at the scene. Just prior to the shooting, Adrian was there with friends on a private property ranch.

Adrian Moreno was born in Ventura and raised in Santa Paula until completing 1st grade. He attended St. Sebastian School and Glen City School. After moving to Fillmore, Adrian attended the Fillmore Unified School District until he graduated in 2013. He had started Ventura College in the fall of 2013. Adrian was taking general education classes and wanted to pursue music production. He had various programs on music production that he spent hours on creating music and experimenting.

Adrian was known as “Chubby” to his friends because when he was about 8-years old he gained a lot of weight. His parents put him in soccer to see if all the running would help him lose some of it but he loved to eat so that did not help much. He made many friends through playing soccer and played until his freshmen year in high school. While in soccer he was also enrolled at Perce’s Kenpo Karate studio where he attended for 5-years and gained more friends. There he learned about integrity, respect, self-confidence, and earned a 3rd degree Brown Belt.

Adrian also played the drums all through elementary, middle school, and up to his freshmen year of high school. He was also a student of Camilla Conaway for over a year where he took piano lessons and enjoyed it very much.
When Adrian was a sophomore he joined the football team and again made more new friends.

During his junior and senior year he was more involved in AVID and looking at colleges to attend. He would always go to Sespe School and do his community service hours in his mom’s classroom. Just this past December Adrian and his family went to help El Pescador Restaurant in Santa Paula for their yearly community Christmas event, and he went so gracefully to help.

For his graduation he went on the Senior Trip to Long Beach and had an amazing time with his close friends. Adrian also was a candidate in the Confirmation Class of 2013 at Saint Francis Church in Fillmore. He attended 2 years and last year when the students were taken to “The Mountain” (a spiritual retreat) he came back more so than ever with the Holy Spirit.

Adrian also loved to snowboard where the family would go every time there was snow nearby. He loved to play X-Box Live with his friends until late night hours.

Over the last year he had started attending concerts of his favorite bands like Linkin Park, and Kaskade. He loved to go bowling and to the movies with his friends and family. Adrian loved exotic cars and enjoyed going to car shows. He knew a lot about them and could name them on the street. He enjoyed cooking breakfast, staying up late, and Skyping. He also loved to drink a lot of water and Rock Stars. Adrian hated taking out the trash, getting up early, and a messy house.

Adrian had a way with friends, cousins, family, teachers, and people he barely knew that was caring, generous, and giving. His smile would light up a room and had the power of saying few words with the most meaningful message. He would listen to friend’s problems and somehow made them be not so bad.

Adrian always asked his mom how her day was and would actually listen and give input. He would give her a hug and a kiss upon arrival and although he did lag at things he would always follow through. He loved his family, always shared funny videos with them, and was always so helpful. He knew he was loved and we knew he loved us. He believed in God, happiness, and in living everyday as if it were the last. We will miss his smile, laughter, and great heart. May the Lord have you in the kingdom of glory and give us strength to endure this pain and this emptiness. May you watch over us to protect us from the evil that took you without cause. May the soul that did this find God and speak out because whether one believes in God or not only the truth will set you free.

The community needs to come together and understand that your son, daughter, sister, brother, or family member could be next. As long as there are young kids with guns this will not stop and who will be next at the next gathering? Are your kids really safe?

Adrian’s family is requesting the community to assist in finding out what led to Adrian’s death. There were several individuals at the social gathering who Sheriff Investigators believe have the answers. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Sergeant Todd Inglis with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau at (805)384-4730.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000 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).

Pete Egedi

The Gazette has just acquired the complete record of Judge Montoya’s decision in the Peter Egedi termination as Fillmore’s fire chief. It was released weeks ago but only recently available to this paper.

Administrative Law Judge Joseph D. Montoya has upheld the termination of Peter Egedi as Chief of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department.

The Judge’s order followed a lengthy and intensive investigation by both the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office.

The case began in March of 2008 when Patrick Maynard, a volunteer firefighter and City-paid Disaster Coordinator, confided to former Fire Chief Pat Askren that “he (Maynard) believed Respondent (Egedi) had acted improperly in the use of funds in the Department account.” This issue was then taken to the City Finance Director, who referred it to the city attorney, who then brought it to the attention of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

The Sheriff’s department investigated the issue and brought in the District Attorney of Ventura County who filed a criminal proceeding against Egedi. Following a nearly 3-year investigation, the District Attorney eventually dismissed the case on grounds that he believed that “...there were a number of problems of proof, and that the District Attorney did not believe the charges against Respondent (Egedi) could be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The subsequent civil case filed by Egedi against the city of Fillmore for his termination was submitted to the office of the Administrative Law Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings to challenge the legality of Egedi’s termination by the city. After approximately 6 years (about 3 years following dismissal of the criminal case, a final order by Judge Montoya upheld Egedi’s termination from his position as fire chief.

What follows is a portion of the complete, 59-page, record of findings of fact leading to Judge Montoya’s order upholding the city’s decision to terminate Egedi for cause.

This case has roiled the City of Fillmore for more than 6 years, creating a hostile atmosphere. It has cost the city many thousands of dollars, and the county hundreds of thousands. Many of those who were acquainted with the facts and allegations in this case were stunned to hear that the District Attorney’s office decided to drop all charges, and elected not to refer the case to the Grand Jury. In light of Administrative Judge Montoya’s findings of fact, their reaction was justified. According to the Judge, many thousands of dollars were misappropriated by the Egedis though it is not possible to determine the exact, total amount.

Among the Judge’s findings of fact and legal conclusions are the following:
“It is clear the Respondent engaged in self dealing...”
His testimony was “...at once brazen and disingenuous...”
“Respondent has told contradictory stories...”
Much of Egedi’s testimony was “...disproven...”
“...the money was given to her (Mrs. Egedi) by Respondent for her use in Las Vegas.
“The failure to account for a FEMA reimbursement in excess of $51,000.”
“When the City closed the Department account, after Respondent was removed from his position, there was not enough money in the account to cover all of the allowances due to firefighters for the rest of the fiscal year. Just what happened to the $13,100 cannot be determined from the record.”
“Respondent has not shown one iota of remorse during the hearing...”
This is only a small part of Judge Montoya's findings of fact. The entire record follows:

Egedi Decision

On January 25, 2014 at approximately 12:26pm, Santa Paula Police Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of E. Santa Barbara Street. During the traffic investigation, the passenger in the vehicle was found to be on probation. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a suspicious object resembling an improvised explosive device was located. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad was called to assist. The immediate area was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Upon the arrival fof the VCSO Bomb Squad, they conducted an investigation and rendered the device safe by disruption. The driver, Albert Morales, 34 years of Fillmore, was arrested for possession of an explosive device. The area was then declared safe.