Ventura County, CA - Last week, the U.S. Forest Service unveiled an oil company’s proposal to hydraulically fracture eight oil and gas wells on federal public land in the Los Padres National Forest. The wells – located north of Fillmore in the Sespe Oil Field – would bring the total number of wells fracked in the Sespe to 18 in the last three years, making this the highest concentration of fracking along California’s central coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Along with the eight wells, the oil company – Seneca Resources Corporation of Houston, Texas – is seeking permission to construct nearly two miles of new pipelines, a 12,600-gallon tank, and other industrial facilities in this remote area.

“Like most of the wells completed previously in the Sespe Oil Field, the new wells would be hydraulically fractured as part of completing the wells for production,” states Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Ken Heffner in a letter to interested parties dated May 2, 2014.

The Forest Service will accept public comments on the three-page announcement until June 4, 2014. Then, officials state that they will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) and could approve the wells as early as next year. An EA is a concise, less-detailed analysis than a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Forest Service must prepare a full EIS for any proposal that may have a significant environmental impact, as well as for issues such as fracking that involve substantial controversy.
“Fracking eight wells and constructing two miles of pipeline in an environmentally sensitive area clearly warrants a full, thorough, and careful analysis in an EIR,” said Jeff Kuyper, executive director of Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Barbara that monitors fracking and oil drilling throughout the Los Padres National Forest. “There’s too much at stake to fast-track fracking in our forest.”

Hydraulic fracturing – commonly known as “fracking” – is a process whereby water, sand, and thousands of gallons of chemical additives are injected underground to break apart rock formations and stimulate the extraction of oil and gas. The technique has come under increasing scrutiny from scientists, regulators, and the public due to concerns with groundwater contamination, surface water pollution, water consumption, and public health. Hundreds of fracking chemicals are known to be toxic to humans and wildlife, and several are known to cause cancer.
Located approximately four miles north of Fillmore in Ventura County, the Sespe Oil Field is one of the oldest oil fields in California. Approximately half of the field’s oil and gas wells are located on land in the Los Padres National Forest. The other half are found throughout a patchwork of private land that is intermingled with the national forest land.

The lands in CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

The Fillmore City Council agreed on April 8, 2014, at their public hearing, to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or person(s) responsible for the death of Adrian Moreno.

During the first week of May, the Fillmore Unified School Teachers Association (FUSTA) also agreed to add an additional $2,500 to the reward. Adrian Moreno’s mother was a former member of this organization prior to his tragic death.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact Sgt. Todd Inglis at 805-384-4730. The reward will be paid within six months following the conviction of the suspect(s).

Nature of Incident: Adrian Moreno Homicide Reward Increased
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: May 14, 2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department and Ventura County Major Crimes/ Homicide Division
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Adrian Moreno Fillmore 18
Prepared by: Captain Dave Wareham
Media Release Date: May 12, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Todd Inglis 805-384-4730
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

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).

Santa Paula Police Department

On May 8, 2014, at approximately 1705 hours, Santa Paula Police Officers were in the area of 200 block of E. Santa Maria St. when they observed a Ford Expedition traveling eastbound on Santa Maria St. at a high rate of speed. When officers made a u-turn to stop the vehicle, it became involved in a solo accident for unknown reasons striking two parked cars. Both occupants fled and were identified as Jacob Escobedo, age 28 a transeint of Santa Paula, and Natane Chapman, age 22 a transient from Fillmore. A search of the area of was conducted. Escobedo was able to escape custody and Chapman was taken into custody hiding in a storage yard. Recovered from the vehicle were a loaded rifle, a loaded revolver, and metal (brass) knuckles. The revolver was found to be stolen out of the City of Oxnard.

Escobedo is currently a felony wanted subject for violation of PROS for child endangerment and felony resisting arrest. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Escobedo is being charged with the following charges: gang member in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, felony hit and run with injuries, possession of stolen property, and possession of a loaded firearm. Chapman was medically cleared due to injuries she sustained in the accident and transported to Ventura County Main Jail on the following charges: convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of metal (brass) knuckles, possession of stolen property and had an active warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

To report to Crime Stoppers from anyplace in Ventura County: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Text “BUSTED” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). Text “STOP” to CRIMES (274637) to start a new thread.

Nature of Incident: Traffic Accident / Convicted Felons in Possession of Firearms
Report Number(s): SG1400776
Location(s): 200 Block of E. Santa Maria St.
Dates & Times: 05/08/2014 at 1705 hrs
Unit Responsible: Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims City of Residence Age
Suspect - Jacob Escobedo, Transient - Santa Paula, 28
Suspect - Natane Chapman, Transient - Fillmore, 22
Officer Preparing Press Release: Sgt. Cody Madison #1018
Press Release Date: 5/9/2014
Follow-Up Contact:
Approved by: Commander Ismael Cordero #1038

The Fillmore Film Commission (FFC) joined the Fillmore City Council's May 13, 2014 meeting to review their prior year activities, and plans they have for the coming year. At the completion of the review, the Council heard two presentations, discussed two items of new business, and three items of continued business. The new business was acceptance of a large donation by the Fillmore Fire Department and proposed Public Works Projects. The continuing business was a Council consensus on a proposed Curfew Ordinance, along with weed abatement and a contract agreement.

The Fillmore Firefighters' Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit started by Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, received two large private donation grants of $100,000 and $125,000. Both grants are attributed to the diligent work of Patrick Maynard who did the research and submitted the paperwork.

The grant monies were used to donate 27 handheld Motorola radios with desktop and vehicle charge capability valued at $95,000 to the Fillmore Fire Department (FFD). Landeros informed the Council that such radios are constantly being upgraded. The new radios comply with the upgraded Federal Communications regulations being used throughout the county and will enable FFD to communicate with other agencies.

Also, 18 Self-Contained Breathing CONTINUED »

During the week of May 5 – 9, 2014 the 18th Annual Quest Rally travelled throughout California raising funds for
burn survivors and facilities that assist in burn recovery.

The Quest Rally stopped at the Fillmore Fire Department facility on Thursday, May 8th. “Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors” is a non-profit organization managed by firefighters and civilians who volunteer their services and are dedicated to assist those who have been affected by burn injuries.

The organization hosts several fund raisers throughout each year in which donations are received and distributed on behalf of each donor to local burn centers and foundations as well as burn survivors and their families.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On May 5, 2014, at about 9:00 P.M., suspect Jorge Izarraraz confronted a sixteen year-old minor in the alley of the 900 Block of Blaine St. in the city of Fillmore. Izarraraz assaulted the minor with a pocket knife, battered him, threatened him and stole some personal items from the minor.

The incident unfolded as the minor was talking to a friend in the alley. Izarraraz walked-up to the minor and placed the blade of the knife against his neck and then struck him on the head with the butt of the knife. The minor fell to the ground and Izarraraz continued to batter him. The minor was able to get away and take refuge inside a nearby home. During the incident, Izarraraz threatened to hurt the minor if he called the police. Izarraraz left the scene with the minor’s baseball cap and money he dropped during the attack. The minor sustained minor injuries.

Patrol deputies and detectives located Izarraraz near his house and arrested him. He was found in possession of the minor’s property. Izarraraz was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats, brandishing a knife and theft. His bail was set at $100,000.00 dollars.

Nature of Incident: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest
Report Number: 14-10378
Location: 900 Block Blaine St. Fillmore, Ca. 93015
Date & Time: 05/05/14 @ 9:00 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol / Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V) Male, Fillmore, 16
(S) Izarraraz, Jorge Rodriguez, Fillmore, 21

Prepared by: Detective Taurino Almazan
Media Release Date: May 08, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Taurino Almazan @ (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

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).

On January 30, 2013, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were notified that a man possessed a handgun at Mountain Vista Elementary School in the city of Fillmore, California. The subject was linked to 716 ½ Blaine Avenue in Fillmore. Sheriff’s Deputies James Tedder, Russell Grant and Leonardo Vazquez responded to 716 ½ Blaine Avenue. When they arrived, they encountered Josue Jimenez, 29 of Fillmore, who was standing in his driveway and holding a handgun. The deputies unholstered their weapons and immediately and continuously ordered Mr. Jimenez to put his weapon down.

Instead, Mr. Jimenez walked to the southern side of his property, chambered a round into his handgun and fired a shot through his fence at a dog in the neighboring yard. He then began turning toward Deputy Tedder. Deputy Tedder fired two shots at Mr. Jimenez, killing him.

The District Attorney’s Office has a 24-hour on-call officer-involved shooting team available to all Ventura County law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation of officer-involved shootings. Once the District Attorney’s Office was notified of the shooting, Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Harman (who authored this report) and District Attorney Investigators Tom Mendez and Robert MacInnes responded to the shooting scene and consulted with the investigating officers.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation of the shooting, which included interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence, and photographing the area of the shooting. All three involved deputies individually conducted a voluntary walkthrough to criminal investigators where they described the incident.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation reports were then submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for a determination of whether the shooting of Josue Jimenez was justified and, if not, whether criminal charges should be filed. The scope of the District Attorney’s review was limited to those issues.

The District Attorney’s review included reviewing approximately 580 pages of reports and documents which included interviews of police and civilian witnesses, diagrams, photographs, numerous recorded interviews and records, recordings of radio transmissions, and examining the scene of the shooting.

Based on the information available for review, the District Attorney’s investigation, and the applicable legal authorities, it is the opinion of the District Attorney that the shooting of Josue Jimenez by Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy James Tedder was justified and was not a criminal act.

VI. CONCLUSION
It is the conclusion of the District Attorney that:
1. At the time Deputy Tedder fired his weapon at Josue Jimenez, Deputy Tedder honestly and reasonably believed that he was in imminent threat of death or great bodily injury;
2. At the time Deputy Tedder fired his weapon at Josue Jimenez, Deputy Tedder honestly and reasonably believed that the immediate use of deadly force was necessary to defend himself against the danger posed to him by Josue Jimenez; 29.
3. Deputy Tedder used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against the danger posed to him by Josue Jimenez; and
4. Deputy Tedder’s fatal shooting of Josue Jimenez was a justifiable homicide.
Full report available online at http://www.vcdistrictattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jimenez-OIS....

City of Fillmore

04/22/14
Theft Vehicle
900 Blk. 4th St.
Vandalism
700 Blk. Saratoga St.
Search Warrant
300 Blk. Rhodes Ct.
300 Blk. McNab Ct.
800 Blk. 3rd St.
Theft Identity
600 Blk. Eagle Ct.
Keep the Peace
600 Blk. Fernglen Cr.
Narcotics Violation
400 Blk. Mountain View St.
04/23/14
Accident – Non Injury
A St./Ventura St.
Burglary Vehicle
N C St./Old Telegraph Rd.
Vandalism
700 Blk. Ventura St.
Keep the Peace CONTINUED »

Joanne Dabbs and Jennifer Weir announced that the FUSD will again be offering a summer school session at Fillmore High School, Mountain Vista Elementary (7) and Piru Elementary (1), 8-11:30 A.M. Monday-Friday starting June 19th through July 24th. Last year over 400 students attended.

It will cost more to build a home or commercial building in Fillmore in a few months due to an increase in Development Impact Fees that Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) is seeking. That, along with reports on the 2014 Summer School session and Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium Process were the items discussed at the May 6, 2014 meeting.

Ken Reynolds, President of School Works, presented his study which will be presented to the State to ask for an increase in FUSD's school Development Impact Fees (DIF) for residential and commercial property development in Fillmore. Impact fees are payments in advance of completing a development which enables school districts to pay for new construction and improvements and are reviewed every five years. Schools can impose the fees due to Education Code section 17620, pursuant 1996 SB 1562. The new school DIF's will increase from $3.30 to $3.36 per square foot within the perimeter of the residential structure. Each home when built is considered a .7 child occupant, and thus requires more classrooms. Over the past five years 156 homes were built in town and FUSD collected $729,000 in fees. Those new homes represent about 110 new students.
Commercial development School DIF's will increase from $.51 to $.54 per square foot. The new increase in both DIF's is expected to generate $804,000 for FUSD in the next five years and will start sixty days after approval by the State.

FUSD will again be offering a summer school session at Fillmore High School, Mountain Vista Elementary (7) and Piru Elementary (1), 8-11:30 A.M. Monday-Friday starting June 19th through July 24th. Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson stated, "Last year over 400 students attended....let's hope we'll have the same this summer."
The NASA Science Class is again being offered. Last summer students were extremely happy with the class. The class will again do experiments using recycled material. There will also be credit recovery classes for 9th-11th grades, with a focus targeting 11th graders to enable them to graduate their next year.

Elementary classes offered CONTINUED »

On April 10th, 2014, Sheriff Geoff Dean presented Patrick Maynard, Ventura County Emergency Services Program Administrator, with the 2013 Sheriff’s Department Meritorious Award for demonstrating, through persistent efforts, exemplary service and perseverance.

This service was performed in areas such as grant management and as the project manager for a three-day Ready Ventura County (RVC) preparedness exercise. This event brought together public safety agencies from throughout Ventura County, for six months, to plan for and exercise our county’s response to a catastrophic earthquake. A video of the RVC event may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nplmd_UwmTk

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

It has been approximately 1 year since these two unsolved sexual assaults occurred in the Santa
Paula area. Investigators have followed up on previously reported leads and are requesting the public’s assistance in developing more leads.

On the mornings of February 26, 2013 and May 20, 2013, sexual assaults were reported in the area of Santa Paula Street and Peck Road. Both assaults occurred in the unincorporated area, west of the City of Santa Paula.

Nature of Incident: Santa Paula Area Sexual Assaults - Public Assistance Needed
Report Number: 13-4331 & 13-11162
Location: Santa Paula Street at Peck Road, Unincorporated Area of Santa Paula
Date & Time: May 1, 2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unknown
Prepared by: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: May 1, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Christine Rettura at (805)384‐4741, Christine.Rettura@ventura.org
Detective Matt Delahuerta at (805)384‐4740, Matt.Delahuerta@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Chris Dunn

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 Fillmore Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in the theft of a purse.

At approximately 3:10 p.m., on March 26, 2014, the victim was working in the alley in the 300 block of Central Avenue and had momentarily left her purse unattended. A video captured the suspect pictured walking through the alley, approach the purse, pick it up, and run away with it. The purse was recovered a short time later nearby, but was missing a large amount of cash.

There is full video of the incident available for review. If you can identify this person, please contact Detective John Fox from the Fillmore station (805) 524-2233 or Detective Taurino Almazan.

Nature of Incident: Public’s Assistance Sought To Identify Purse Thief
Report Number: 14-6779
Location: East alley of the 300 block of Central Avenue, Fillmore
Date & Time: March 26, 2014 @ 3:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department - Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unknown young male Unk 16-20
Prepared by: Detective John Fox
Media Release Date: April 24, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective John Fox (805) 524-2233 or john.fox@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham

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 Camarillo Police Department is seeking information regarding the identification of a sexual battery suspect.

On March 31, 2014, at approximately 4:00 PM, the female victim was shopping in the Vons grocery store in the Mission Oaks shopping center when she was sexually battered by the suspect. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 55-65 years of age, medium build, gray hair, and a bushy grey mustache. He was wearing a blue denim jacket, white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a white baseball style cap.

Please contact Detective TJ DeSalvo, at (805) 388-5157, if you have any information regarding this suspect.

Nature of Incident: Information Identifying Sexual Battery Suspect
Report Number: 140007258
Location: 5000 Block Of Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo
Date & Time: March 31, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Investigations Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unknown Unk 55-65
Prepared by: Sergeant Pete O’Sullivan
Media Release Date: April 23, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective TJ DeSalvo @ (805) 388-5157
Approved by: Captain Eric Dowd

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).