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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, January 21st, 2015
 Antonio Cerna, Thousand Oaks, 49 While conducting surveillance at Russell Park, detectives observed a male Hispanic, later identified as Antonio Cerna, walking east bound on Medicine Bow Court. Cerna approached the greenbelt area and quickly walked northbound. Cerna walked up and down the greenbelt as though he was looking for someone. He was then contacted by detectives. Cerna claimed he was in the area looking for recycling material. An infield show up was completed utilizing several victims. Detectives also learned that Cerna had driven a silver compact vehicle, matching the description given by a victim. Cerna initially denied any wrongdoing, but ultimately admitted to committing both of the recent indecent exposures in this neighborhood. He was arrested and transported to the East County Sheriff’s Station. While at the station, Cerna admitted to committing several other lewd acts within the City of Thousand Oaks. Community: Thousand Oaks Police Arrest Indecent Exposure Subject 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). |
 The suspect is described as an adult Hispanic male, 5’8” and 150 pounds with short spiked hair. He may be associated with a silver compact vehicle. The attached sketch is a depiction of the suspect. Enlarge Photo By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, January 20th, 2015
Police asking anyone with information to contact them
During the early evening hours of January 10 through January 17, 2015, there were a few reported incidents of a male exposing himself in the eastern area of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village area. The indecent exposures occurred in the area of Russell Park and nearby greenbelt areas. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect. The suspect was described as an adult Hispanic male, 5’8” and 150 pounds with short spiked hair. He may be associated with a silver compact vehicle. The attached sketch is a depiction of the suspect. Residents are cautioned while visiting parks or walking in greenbelt areas to be aware of suspicious subjects and report the activity to the Thousand Oaks Police Department. Anyone who may have information on the identity of the suspect is urged to contact Detective Eric Taylor (805) 371-8397. Nature of Incident: UPDATE on Thousand Oaks Indecent Exposure Incidents 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, January 12th, 2015
 Allen Rosales On January 6, 2015, the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit (PCU) arrested (S) Allen Rosales for manslaughter and heroin dealing resulting in death. The arrest came at the conclusion of a two and a half month investigation after (V) Michael Mendez died from a drug and alcohol overdose. On October 23, 2014, Allen Rosales supplied his cousin Michael Mendez with heroin. Mendez was naive to heroin use, but had prior addiction issues with opiate medications. Mendez used the heroin while also drinking alcohol. Rosales failed to provide medical care or notify family members that Mendez was overdosing on heroin. Mendez was transported to the hospital where he died. After numerous interviews, an analysis of the toxicology reports, and a review of the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s report, investigators arrested Rosales for his role in his cousin’s death. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail. His bail is set at $300,000. The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force comprised of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the California Highway Patrol. The primary mission of the task force is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdose deaths due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use. Anyone with information regarding these topics is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit at (805) 383-8700 or via e-mail at pharm.tip@ventura.org. The task force will continue to aggressively pursue all individuals involved in the furnishing of drugs resulting in another person’s death. All too often, young adults begin their opiate addiction innocently enough with exposure to prescription medication received for an injury. They may also be introduced to medication through friends or family. Prescription medication use, sometimes leads to abuse. This abuse of highly addictive, yet very expensive drugs, regularly leads to heroin use. Heroin users become heroin dealers to support their habits. It is a vicious cycle that very frequently ends in tragedy and death. The PCU supports responsible prescribing and dispensing of opiate medication from doctors and pharmacists, in the hope that increased scrutiny from medical professionals will curtail heroin abuse in the future. Several credible sources state that the United States, with about 5% of the world’s population, consumes nearly 80% of the opiate medications produced, most notably 99% of the world’s hydrocodone (Vicodin). Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Manslaughter and Heroin Dealing Resulting in Death |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Monday, January 12th, 2015
VENTURA, California - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Guzman Ochoa (DOB: 9/5/83), of Oxnard, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell to life in prison without parole, and an additional 97 years four months to life in prison, for the February 19, 2010, murder of Sun Cha-Kays, and the February 17, 2010, robbery and sexual assault at the Tokyo Spa in Oxnard. On November 3, 2014, a jury found Ochoa guilty of nine felony counts, including first-degree murder with burglary and robbery special circumstances, forcible oral copulation, robbery, and false imprisonment. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, January 12th, 2015
 Juan Soria Sheriff’s Major Crimes investigators received information that suspect Juan Soria turned himself in to local law enforcement authorities near Bakersfield, California, last evening. Soria was arrested by law enforcement officers on a warrant for the attempt murder of his wife. He was transferred to Ventura County where he was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Detectives have been searching for Soria since the attempt murder investigation began on January 5th. Soria was in Bakersfield when he contacted the Bakersfield Police Department and asked to be taken into custody. Soria was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility early this morning for attempt murder, arson causing great bodily injury, aggravated mayhem, torture, and child endangerment. His bail is set at $1,000,000 and he is scheduled for arraignment at Ventura County Superior Court on January 12th at 9:00 a.m. The victim (suspect’s wife), is in critical condition and being treated at an area hospital. Their children were not injured at the original incident and are being cared for at a safe location. Anyone with information about this case can contact Detective Peterson at (805) 383-4474. Nature of Incident: Attempt Murder Suspect Juan Soria Hernandez Arrested |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, January 12th, 2015
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department Over the past several months, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties have seen a sharp increase in residential burglaries. Typically, the suspects knocked on the front door to the residence to determine if anyone was home. If no one answered the door, they went around the backside of the residence and forced entry into the residence. If someone answered the door, they fabricated a reason for being there, such as asking if the resident had seen a missing dog or for a person who they knew did not live there. The purpose of the ruse was to determine if anyone was home without raising suspicion. On some of the cases, the residents did not answer the door or announce their presence. The suspects then forced entry into the residence with the residents inside. According to witness statements from several of the crime scenes, the suspects were male and female, and were driving newer vehicles with dealer plates. These statements were often corroborated by video surveillance. On 12/31/14, at about 3:45 PM, Thousand Oaks police responded to a call of suspicious male and female subjects looking into the window of a residence. When confronted by the resident, the subjects stated they were there looking for their lost dog. The subjects, however, did not want to provide any contact information to the resident in case she found the dog. This raised suspicion and the homeowner called police after seeing the subjects meet up with another subject who was waiting in a car. Police responded to the scene and observed a vehicle with dealer plates leaving the area. The vehicle was similar to one used in prior residential burglaries. A traffic stop was then conducted. The ensuing investigation determined the three suspects had committed at least one residential burglary and were in the process of attempting another when confronted by the homeowner. Investigators learned the suspects had employed a ruse similar to those previously described in an attempt to determine if the house was occupied. Investigators also located evidence of the burglaries inside the suspect vehicle. Robert Crockett, Chloe Freer and Rayshaun Flowers were arrested for residential burglary and attempt residential burglary. All three were booked into the Ventura County jail and had bail set at $500,000. Their arraignments are scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2015 at 1:30 PM. All three suspects are from the Los Angeles County area. Investigators believe there may be more victims or witnesses who may have information about these suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jerin Widofsky (805)494-8221 or Sgt. Jason Robarts (805) 947-8108. Nature of Incident: Arrest of Residential Burglary Suspects 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, January 12th, 2015
 On January 2, 2015, Alexander Vannesse was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, a violation of section 23152(e) of the Vehicle Code. Ventura Police Department was the arresting agency and booked Mr. Vannesse at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. While being processed in booking, Vannesse was being fingerprinted by a Deputy Sheriff. Vannesse, for an unknown reason, punched the deputy in the face and began fighting. The deputy went to the ground with Vannesse and was able to get control of him. Vannesse was handcuffed and placed into a cell. The Deputy received abrasions and contusions on his face, elbow and knee. He was treated by medical staff at the jail. Alexander Vannesse was arrested for the additional charge of 243(c)(2), battery on a peace officer. He remains in custody with a bail set at $25,000.00. When an arrested person is booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, they go through a booking process which includes; a search, medical evaluation, photographs, fingerprints and phone calls. Often times, deputies have contact with people who are emotionally unstable and / or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. These individuals are volatile and have unpredictable behavior. These situations put deputies at risk of physical confrontations in the performance of their duties. Nature of Incident: Battery On A Deputy Sheriff 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, January 12th, 2015
Ventura County Sheriff's Department Information on Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Heroin sales led to the arrests of Jose Garcia and Anthony Ochoa on separate cases for being in possession of these items with the intent to sell. Narcotics investigators received information from multiple sources that Jose Garcia had been selling Cocaine and Methamphetamine in the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. On December 30th, Garcia was stopped in the city of Oxnard and found to be in possession of several ounces of Methamphetamine and Cocaine. During the subsequent search warrant at his residence in the 500 block of W. Fifth Street, investigators located two additional ounces of Methamphetamine and Cocaine along with an undisclosed amount of currency. Garcia was arrested for possession for sales of Methamphetamine and Cocaine. Several months ago, Narcotic detectives received information that Anthony Ochoa had been selling large amounts of Heroin in the city of Oxnard. On December 31st, Ochoa was stopped leaving his residence in the 300 block of First Street. Narcotic detectives conducted a search warrant at Ochoa’s home where they recovered nearly four pounds of Heroin. Detectives also located an undisclosed amount of currency. The street value of the Heroin seized is approximately $155,000. Ochoa was arrested for possession for sales of Heroin. The West County Street Team is made up of Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and the Oxnard Police Department narcotics detectives working cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in the western portion of Ventura County. Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrests 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). |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, January 7th, 2015
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten, along with 41 other California district attorneys and two city attorneys, announced today that Safeway, Inc. (Safeway) was ordered to pay $9.87 million as part of a settlement of a civil environmental prosecution. The settlement is the culmination of a civil enforcement action filed in Orange County alleging the illegal disposal, transportation, storage, and mismanagement of hazardous waste at the more than 500 stores and distribution centers throughout the state, including Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, and Pak’n’Save stores. The investigation into Safeway’s practices began after discovery of improper shipments of hazardous and pharmaceutical waste to Safeway’s distribution centers through its reverse logistics program. The investigation revealed that Safeway was routinely and systematically sending hazardous and pharmaceutical wastes to local area landfills not equipped to receive such waste. Upon being notified by prosecutors of the widespread violations, Safeway worked cooperatively to remedy the issue and to enhance its environmental compliance program. Under the terms of the final judgment, Safeway agreed to pay $9.87 million including $6.72 million in civil penalties, $1,150,000 for investigation costs, and $2,000,000 for supplemental environmental projects that will enhance enforcement of California's environmental laws. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will receive $312,500 in civil penalties and $15,800 in costs. Ventura County Environmental Health Division will receive $35,000 in civil penalties and $1,575 in costs, and the City of Oxnard Fire Department will receive $5,250 in civil penalties. Safeway stores are required to adopt policies and procedures designed to eliminate the improper disposal of retail hazardous waste products and pharmaceutical waste. In addition, Safeway must continue its First Assistant Store Manager Program designed to address environmental compliance at the store level. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Monday, January 5th, 2015
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Tyrone B. Estes (DOB 9/6/82), of Los Angeles, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Nancy Ayers to sixteen years in prison for a home invasion robbery in Thousand Oaks which he committed in 2012. Estes entered his guilty plea on December 4, 2014, shortly after jury selection had begun in his trial. He also admitted a special allegation that he used a firearm in the commission of the robbery. On the morning of October 30, 2012, the victim was in her bedroom when the defendant, armed with a gun, and two other perpetrators entered her bedroom through a door from the backyard. While the victim was held at gunpoint, Estes ransacked her home, stealing jewelry, cash, electronics, and other belongings. The men tied up the victim and told her not to call police. After the men left, the victim struggled free and called police. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime, and DNA samples were collected from inside the victim’s home. One DNA profile was identified as Estes. After further investigation, Estes was arrested in May 2014. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, December 24th, 2014
VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Matthew Slough (DOB 1/28/91), of Ventura, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kevin DeNoce to six years in prison after a jury found him guilty in November of furnishing heroin and causing great bodily injury during the commission of the furnishing. Slough was also sentenced to a concurrent 16 months prison after pleading guilty to felony possession of a zip gun and explosives in an unrelated matter. On February 9, 2014, Ventura Police officers were dispatched to a residence concerning the heroin overdose of a 32-year-old male. The victim of the overdose was transported to the hospital, where he ultimately died. Based upon a newly established protocol, investigators with the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office notified detectives with the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit, who took over the investigation. Within days, detectives were able to determine the victim had obtained heroin from Slough in the hours before his overdose. Slough was arrested on February 27, 2014, and released from custody on March 14, 2014, after posting a $55,000 bail bond. On July 31, 2014, investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit executed a search warrant at Slough’s residence as part of an ongoing weapons investigation. During the search, investigators located zip guns, silencers, and explosives. Slough was arrested and booked into the Ventura County jail. The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force comprised of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and the California Highway Patrol. The primary mission of the task force is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdose deaths due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use. Anyone with information regarding these topics is encouraged to contact the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit at (805) 383-8700 or via e-mail at pharm.tip@ventura.org. |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, December 24th, 2014
Police asking anyone with information to contact them
Ventura County Sheriff's Department During the early morning hours of December 23, 2014, an unknown suspect broke into Anderson Jewelers, assaulted the owner, and stole merchandise. David Pardo is the owner of Anderson Jewelers and was working in his business on the morning of December 23, 2014. At approximately 1:00 AM, Pardo heard glass breaking at the front of his store. He went to the front of his store and found an unknown male suspect inside of the business, which was closed at the time. Pardo confronted the suspect who then attacked him. Pardo fled from his store and called 911. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of jewelry prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Pardo was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the attack and was later released. The Moorpark Police Department is asking anyone with information on this crime to contact Detective Wright at (805) 797-7128. Nature of Incident: Jewelry Store Robbery (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age 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). |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, December 22nd, 2014
Earlier this month, investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit had intelligence that Juan Castillo, Michael Cantero and Esteban Oseguera were involved in a county wide theft ring. Cantero was on parole for attempted residential burglary and had recently bailed out of jail for a narcotic related arrest. Castillo and Oseguera had been arrested for similar crimes on November 13, 2014. Both were out on bail pending trial. On December 8, 2014, at about 5:00 am, a uniformed deputy attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in the City of Ventura. The vehicle was occupied by two males and had been reported stolen the previous day in Santa Barbara County. During the stop, the male passenger ran from the vehicle and avoided capture. The driver, Esteban Oseguera, was arrested. Deputies searched the car and found numerous items that had been stolen earlier in the morning from unlocked vehicles in the City of Camarillo. Oseguera was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail. On December 17th, 2014, at about 5:00 am, investigators stopped Castillo and Cantero as they left the Spanish Hills neighborhood of Camarillo. Investigators searched the car and found several items, including a handgun, that had been stolen from various unlocked vehicles in Spanish Hills. Investigators also recovered stolen property from vehicle thefts in Ojai, Ventura and Los Angeles reported over the previous several months. Cantero and Castillo were arrested for various property and weapons related charges. Both remain in custody on $500,000 bail. Based on recovered stolen property and suspect statements, investigators believe the suspects are responsible for hundreds of vehicle thefts and stolen vehicles over the last 6 months. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to lock their vehicles at night and remove all valuables. Nature of Incident: Serial Theft Ring Arrested 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). |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, December 17th, 2014
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his office has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Southern California Edison Company (“SCE”). The settlement resolves allegations that SCE violated environmental protection laws requiring the filing of a hazardous materials business plan (“HMBP”) for each of its Ventura County electrical transformer facilities. California’s HMBP laws protect and inform emergency responders about hazardous materials stored at a business location. Filing an HMBP protects emergency responders by providing advance notice of potential risks associated with the release or ignition of hazardous materials that may be present at an emergency response scene. SCE owns and operates 47 electrical substations in Ventura County that house transformers containing mineral oil. Mineral oil is combustible and requires specialized response techniques in the event of a fire or release. SCE discovered it had not submitted reports for many of its Ventura County facilities as the result of a self-audit. SCE then began reporting its undisclosed facilities to the authorities. As of today, all Ventura County SCE sites have been reported to the emergency authorities as required. Under the Final Judgment signed by Superior Court Judge Vincent J. O’Neill, Jr., SCE was ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution and disgorgement payable as follows: $17,500 to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, $5,000 to the Oxnard Fire-CUPA Division and $2,500 to the City of Ventura Fire Prevention Division. In addition, SCE was ordered to pay $120,000 as statutory investigation costs and civil penalties to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. SCE will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future violations. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, December 10th, 2014
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the grand jury indictment of Daniel Alvarez (DOB 3/25/93), of Oxnard, and Justin DeSantiago (DOB 9/4/88), of Oxnard. The indictment charges Alvarez with first degree murder and alleges special circumstances that the murder was committed by a street gang member, and that it was committed during the course of an attempted robbery. The charges DeSantiago with the crime of accessory after the fact and alleges that DeSantiago committed this crime for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang. Arraignment on the indictment is scheduled for January 8, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Tuesday, December 9th, 2014
Ventura, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the review by the District Attorney’s Office of the circumstances surrounding the July 12, 2013, shooting of Daniel Houfek by Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Danielle Delpit and Brian Dent has been completed. The full report, authored by Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Harman, is available on the Ventura County District Attorney’s Web site and explains the District Attorney’s conclusions that Deputy Delpit and Deputy Dent acted reasonably, and the killing of Daniel Houfek was a justifiable homicide. |
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By Anonymous — Monday, December 8th, 2014
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Maximo Tamayo-Flores (DOB 12/25/51), of Oxnard, was sentenced to life without parole, plus 25 years to life, and an additional 22 years 8 months in prison for the October 9, 2014, killing and robbery of Ramon Quintero, and committing terrorist threats and kidnapping Sara Cruz. On November 4, 2014, a jury found Tamayo-Flores guilty of six counts, including first degree murder and a robbery special circumstance. Tamayo-Flores is 63 years of age and will not be eligible for parole. |
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By Ventura County District Attorneys Office — Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014
VENTURA, California - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of criminal charges against four employees of Gold Coast Transit for unlawfully taking cash from bus fare boxes. Antonio Maldonado Chavez (DOB 3/29/1963), of Ventura, is charged with six felony counts of misappropriation of public funds to himself totaling in excess of $6,000. Jorge Garibay Alvarado (DOB 1/4/1977), of Oxnard, is charged with three felony counts of misappropriation of public funds to himself totaling in excess of $2,800. As bus maintenance workers, their job duties included transferring cash from the buses to the cash depository. Misdemeanor petty theft charges were filed against two bus mechanics, Jonathan Trujillo (DOB 10/20/1969), of Oxnard (five counts) and Anthony David Cribbs (DOB 10/24/1970), of Camarillo (one count). Gold Coast Transit discovered the conduct in March 2014 and promptly notified the District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by the District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of Gold Coast Transit. The employment of all four individuals has been terminated. Chavez and Alvarado are scheduled to be arraigned on December 30, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in courtroom 11. Trujillo and Cribbs are scheduled to be arraigned on December 30, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert to Californians about possible scams targeting immigrants and their families. Major changes to United States immigration policy, like those contained in President Barack Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions announced on November 20, 2014, often lead to con artists emerging to prey on vulnerable consumers seeking help with immigration services. Using unauthorized immigration consultants can delay your application, cost you unnecessary fees and possibly lead to removal proceedings. This consumer alert will give you tips on how to avoid and report immigration services scams. WHERE TO GO FOR ADVICE: For individual advice you should contact a lawyer who specializes in immigration law. If you need help finding a lawyer you can contact the State Bar of California at (415) 538-2250 or online at: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/LawyerReferralServicesLRS.aspx. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney you can find information on legal aid organizations near you by going to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) website: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/freelglchtCA.pdf or http://lawhelpca.org/issues/immigration. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: The new immigration rules have not yet been implemented. Federal immigration authorities are not accepting any requests or applications at this time. Beware of anyone who offers to help you submit an application or a request for any of these actions before they are available. For updated information on eligibility criteria and availability of these programs, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction or http://www.uscis.gov/es/accionmigratoria. Be on alert if someone tells you about an immigration law that does not exist, or claims to have connections or special influence with any government office or agency, or makes reference to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with respect to fees and forms. These statements are false. Walk away from an immigration attorney that is unlicensed or a representative that is not accredited. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person you rely on is authorized to give you legal advice. Do not be fooled; many dishonest consultants will claim to be lawyers or accredited representatives. To verify whether an attorney is licensed to practice law, check with the state bar association to verify the individual is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any U.S. state. Lawyers from another country who are not licensed to practice in the U.S. are not authorized to provide immigration services within the U.S. To see if a person is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, enter their name here: http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/MemberSearch/QuickSearch. You can also check to see if an immigration attorney was suspended or expelled from practice before the immigration court, the BIA, or the immigration service (USCIS), here: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/discipline.htm. If you are working with a non-attorney, verify whether the individual is an accredited representative of an organization recognized by the BIA by going to this site:http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra/raroster_orgs_reps_state_city.htm#CALIFORNIA It is against the law for immigration consultants, notaries public, and “notarios” to give you legal advice. Only attorneys can give you legal advice. Immigration consultants can only provide you with non-legal assistance and advice. For example, immigration consultants can translate your answers to the questions on immigration forms or get copies of supporting documents. They cannot suggest your answers on the forms or tell you which forms you need to file with federal immigration authorities. Be very careful before paying money to anyone who is neither an attorney nor a BIA-accredited representative of a recognized organization. It is against the law for immigration consultants to use terms in another language that suggest that he or she is an attorney. For example, immigration consultants cannot use the term "notario" to describe themselves in advertisements or other written materials. In some Latin American countries, a “notario” is an attorney. Immigrants from those countries might think that the consultant is an attorney when he or she is not. If an immigration consultant suggests that he or she is an attorney when they are not a licensed attorney, you can submit a complaint to stop their dishonest and unlawful practices here: http://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company. It is against the law for immigration consultants to make false or misleading statements, to give a written guarantee unless they have some basis in fact for making the guarantee, or to make statements that he or she has special influence with the federal government. It is against the law for immigration consultants to provide you with services if they don't have an immigration consultants bond. An immigration consultant must give you a copy of the bond and bond number prior to giving you any services. You may recover the money you paid to an immigration consultant from the bond if you are defrauded by them or if you do not receive the promised services. To see if an immigration consultant has a bond, contact the California Secretary of State at (916) 653-4984 or go to http://www.sos.ca.gov/cgi-bin/bond_search.cgi. It is against the law for an immigration consultant to charge you a fee for referring you to an immigration attorney. Only State Bar certified lawyer referral services can refer you to an attorney for a fee. Call the California State Bar at (415) 538-2250 for the telephone number of the State Bar certified lawyer referral service nearest you. Do not pay for services that are likely free; USCIS’ webite includes downloadable forms, a list of current filing fees, and processing time information for free. Some immigration consultants sometimes charge you a higher fee to file USCIS forms than USCIS charges, claiming they can file your documents faster. These claims are false; there are few exceptions to the normal USCIS processing times and you can download USCIS forms for free online at: http://www.uscis.gov/forms or order them by calling 1-800-870-3676. Do not pay anyone for copies of USCIS forms; you can download them for free. USCIS publishes its current filing fees online or you can call USCIS’ National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 for fee information. Make sure to compare USCIS’ filing fees with any filing fees an immigration consultant or attorney tries to charge you before you pay for their services. You have the right to cancel a contract for immigration consulting services within 72 hours of signing it. Always keep a copy of the contract for your records. Never give an immigration consultant your original documents. Only give copies of your important documents like birth certificates or passports. Keep the originals in a safe place. It is against the law for immigration consultants to keep your original documents. Beware of telephone scams. Do not fall victim to telephone scammers posing as federal immigration officials. These scammers typically ask for personal information, payment and will claim there is a problem with your immigration record. If a scammer calls you, say “No, thank you” and hang up. Federal immigration officials will not call you to ask for any form of payment over the phone. Do not give payment over the phone to anyone who claims to be a USCIS official. Beware of dot-com websites. Some websites offering step-by-step guidance on completing an immigration status application or petition will claim to be affiliated with federal immigration authorities. For updated information on eligibility criteria and availability of these programs, please visit: http://www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction or http://www.uscis.gov/es/accionmigratoria. Whether you hire an attorney or an immigration consultant, here are some tips to protect yourself: |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
The Share-iff’s Toy Drive has been a tradition in Ventura County for 29 years. Many families do not have the resources to provide their children with a traditional Christmas celebration. Each year, thousands of children experience a Christmas morning with no gifts to open. Members of the Sheriff’s Office respond to calls throughout the county and encounter families without the means to exchange gifts during the holiday season. Fortunately, some of these families will be the recipients of gifts this holiday season, thanks to volunteers who participate in the Share-iff’s Toy Drive. The Sheriff’s Office will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 13 and younger. All of the toys will be distributed to children within the cities of Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Fillmore, Ojai, and the unincorporated areas served by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. All of our patrol stations will have boxes where staff members and the public can leave their unwrapped toys Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm between November 24th and December 16th. On December 20th, members of the Sheriff’s Office will deliver some Christmas magic to those who need it most. For more information about how you can help, please contact Corina Lozano at corina.lozano@ventura.org Victor Flores at victor.flores@ventura.org or Tim Lohman at tim.lohman@ventura.org. Toy drop off locations: Camarillo Police Department ' 3701 Las Posas Road, Camarillo (805)388-5100 Thousand Oaks Police Department ' 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks (805)494-8200 Moorpark Police Department ' 610 Spring Road, Moorpark (805)532-2700 Fillmore Police Department ' 524 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore (805)524-2233 Ojai Police Department ' 402 S. Ventura Street, Ojai (805)646-1414 Sheriff's Headquarters ' 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura (805)654-2304 Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Office to Kick Off 29th Annual ‘Share-iffs’ Toy Drive |