In late July 2025, detectives assigned to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit (SCU) concluded an 18-
month investigation into the illegal distribution of narcotics by members of several local Ventura County gangs and
associates, in furtherance of the Sureño prison gang. The Special Crimes Unit consists of detectives from the Ventura County
Sheriff’s Office and Oxnard Police Department who work jointly to investigate organized crime organizations affecting the
livelihood of citizens of Ventura County.

In early 2024, Special Crimes Unit Detectives initiated an investigation into an Oxnard based, Ventura County criminal
street gang suspected of illegally being in possession of firearms and distributing narcotics for the benefit of the
criminal street gang. As a result of that investigation, detectives arrested two criminal street gang members and recovered
three firearms and indicia identifying the subjects as active criminal street gang members.

In June of 2024, Special Crimes Unit Detectives concluded an additional investigation into another local gang member
suspected of illegally possessing firearms, illegal transfer of firearms, and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine for
sales. Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the gang member’s residence and recovered four handguns, a
sawed-off rifle, ammunition, 834.7 gross grams of cocaine, 248 gross grams of methamphetamine, indicia used for narcotics
sales, and $21,000.00 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales.

In the third quarter of 2024, SCU detectives initiated an investigation into a Ventura County criminal street gang suspected
of illegally being in possession of firearms and distributing narcotics for the benefit of the criminal street gang and the
Sureño prison gang. As a result of that investigation, detectives seized 85.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.9 pounds of
ecstasy pills, $10,000 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of the narcotics sales, ammunition and three handguns from a
narcotics source of supply in Los Angeles County.

In November of 2024, SCU detectives initiated an investigation into a Ventura County criminal street gang member working as
a Sureño prison gang member on behalf of the Mexican Mafia. During the investigation, detectives identified one of the gang
members’ narcotics couriers responsible for trafficking narcotics. As a result of that investigation, detectives seized 9.36
pounds of methamphetamine destined for Oxnard, California.

Special Crimes Unit Detectives continued the investigation through the Spring of 2025. Investigators served several search
warrants in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. As a result of that investigation, detectives arrested an additional thirteen
gang members. Detectives seized twelve handguns, five rifles, two shotguns, 56 gross grams of cocaine, 439.3 gross grams of
heroin, 293.3 gross grams of methamphetamine, ammunition, $107, 205.46 of U.S Currency suspected to be proceeds of narcotics
sales, and one vehicle.

During one of the investigations, detectives discovered that a gang member from a Ventura County criminal street gang had
engaged in a five-year, unlawful sexual relationship with a minor and was arrested. Furthermore, investigators uncovered
that an additional gang member from a Ventura County criminal street gang had engaged in an online, sexual relationship with
a minor with the intent to send, distribute or exhibit harmful or obscene material to the minor with the intent to engage in
sexual intercourse.

The following individuals have been arrested as a result of this investigation;

• Armando Lomeli – Age: 31 – 11351 H&S, 11378 H&S, 186.22 PC

• Juan Mex Velasquez – Age: 47 – 11351 H&S, 11378 H&S, 33410 PC, 186.22 PC

• Juan Mex Velasquez – Age:47 - 205 PC, 261.5(d) PC, 288(c)(1) PC, 311.4(c) PC

• Darlene Vargas – Age: 42 - 11351 H&S, 11378 H&S, 33410 PC, 186.22 PC

• Maribel Cortes - Age: 24 – 11378 H&S, 11379 H&S, 186.22 PC

• Omar “Baby” Ruiz – Age: 38 – 182 PC,11378 H&S, 186.22 PC. On 08/18/2025, Ruiz entered a guilty plea. On 09/17/2025, Ruiz
was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison, to be served consecutive to his prior sentence of 156 years to life.

• Erick Hernandez – Age: 29 - 11351 H&S, 11378 H&S, 30305 (a)(1) PC, 11359(b) H&S

• Erick Hernandez – Age: 29 – 288.2(a) PC, 288.3 PC

• David Stratmann – Age: 34 – 29800(a)(1) PC, 30305(a)(1) PC, 27545 PC, 11370.1 H&S, 11377 H&S

• Victor Lara – Age: 20 – 25850(c)(6) PC, 29815(a) PC

• Izaac Galvan Martinez – Age: 26 – 29805 PC, 27545 PC, 30305(a)(1) PC, 25850(c)(6) PC, 186.22 PC

• David Gasca – Age: 30 – 11351 H&S, 11370.1 H&S, 11378 H&S, 27545 PC, 29805 PC, 186.22 PC. On 08/13/2025, Gasca entered a
guilty plea for 11351 H&S, 12022(c) PC, 29805 PC, and 186.22 PC and will be sentenced to 5 years prison.

• Ernesto Flores – Age: 36 – US18 922(g)(1). Flores entered a guilty plea and on 08/21/2025, Flores was sentenced to 4 years
in prison.

• Efren Salomon – Age: 39 – 11351 H&S, 11352 H&S, 11370.1 H&S, 27545 PC, 29800(a)(1) PC, 30305(a)(1) PC

• Christian Vega – Age: 39 – 11351 H&S, 11378 H&S, 23900 PC, 27545 PC, 29800(a)(1) PC, 30305(a)(1) PC

The following evidence has been seized as a result of this investigation;

• Twenty-two handguns

• Six rifles

• Two shotguns

• 912.7 gross grams of cocaine

• 439.3 gross grams of heroin

• 43,618 gross grams of methamphetamine

• 861 gross grams of ecstasy

• $138,298.46 U.S. currency

• One vehicle

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence
in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community
partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by
texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Prepared by: Sergeant Brian Whittaker, Special Crimes Unit

News Release Date: September 17, 2025

Approved by: Captain Matthew Young, Special Services Division

Booking Photo Release: YES 1