Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 1, 2010, at about 9:45 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call for service in the Santa Monica Mountains. The reporting party saw flashlights near a suspected Indian burial site. Upon the deputies’ arrival, they located the three suspects with flashlights and evidence they were illegally removing Indian artifacts from the area.

The three suspects were arrested and later booked at the Main Jail in Ventura for theft. The suspects were released later that day pending further investigation. Searches were subsequently done at the suspects’ homes and several more Indian artifacts were located. In addition, a local anthropologist confirmed the location the suspects were digging was in fact an Indian burial site. The anthropologist also confirmed the items the suspects had taken were consistent with what would be found at an Indian burial site.

On March 19, 2010, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review. The charges include California Public Resources Codes 5097.33 (misdemeanor) and 5097.99 (felony). These sections cover excavating in a historical Indian site and Indian burial sites.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind citizens that it is illegal to remove items from a Native American historic site. Additionally, it is a felony if the location is a burial site.

Location: Santa Monica Mountains

Date: March 18, 2010

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, (P)arties Age
(S1) Noah Erickson 22 Years
(S2) John Watson 37 Years
(S3) Fredrick Villela 40 Years

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant J. Devorick

Follow-up Contact: Sgt. J Devorick (805) 388-5133

Approved By: Capt. Monica McGrath