Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 10-24-2012, narcotic detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office concluded an investigation reference a possible illegal marijuana operation in the 20 block of West Sidlee Street in the city of Thousand Oaks. Detectives received the information from the Thousand Oaks Police Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit, "COPPS," of the possible illegal operation. After some investigation, narcotic detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence.

During the service of the search warrant, detectives contacted Jeffrey Ruthenbeck, a resident. Inside the house, detectives located over 30 lbs. of dried marijuana, small quantity of methamphetamine, heroin, and dried Psilocybin mushrooms. Some of the dried marijuana found inside the residence was packaged for sales. Detectives also located several large marijuana plants that were being cultivated in the backyard.

While detectives where inside the residence conducting the search, a male subject identified as David Staggs arrived at the front door. After speaking with the subject, detectives determined Staggs had provided a false name and was in possession of just under one ounce of methamphetamine and possessed it for sales.

Ruthenbeck was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession for sale of a controlled substance. Staggs was arrested for giving false information to a peace officer and possession for sales of a controlled substance. Both were booked into the county jail and are pending arraignment scheduled for 10/26/2012, at 1:30PM, or the posting of bail.

Nature of Incident: Illegal Marijuana Grow/ Narcotics Arrests
Report Number: 12-23906
Location: 20 Block of W. Sidlee Street, Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: 10/24/2012, 1900 hours
Unit Responsible: Narcotics Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Ruthenbeck, Jeffrey, Thousand Oaks, Ca., 43
Staggs, David, Anaheim, Ca., 36
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Jose Rivera
Media Release Date: 10/25/2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Jose Rivera, (805) 383-8700
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

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