Christine Schieferle, Superintendent of Fillmore Unified School District

Posted February 2, 2026, courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...
Dear FUSD Staff and Families,
We recently became aware of a student-led effort to have middle and high school students walk-out of school, tomorrow, February 3, 2026, to make their voices heard about immigration policies. Planned events such as these are student-led events and not school-sponsored activities.
We respect our students’ First Amendment rights and recognize that advocating for issues they are passionate about can be a valuable learning experience. At the same time, we acknowledge that some students may prefer to remain in class. Our priority is to ensure that all students feel safe and respected, regardless of their choice.
If students choose to participate in a walkout during school hours, the district will respond as follows:
Schools and classes will continue as scheduled.
Whenever possible, school administrators, particularly in middle and high schools, will work with student leaders to provide a safe and supervised on-campus space for those who choose to participate.
We encourage students to remain on campus. Once students leave campus, we cannot assume responsibility for their safety.
All students are expected to follow all school rules and expectations while on campus to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
If a walkout moves off campus, we will coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to support public safety.
Because these walkouts are not school-sponsored activities, we will follow district policies regarding excused and unexcused absences. We encourage you to have conversations with your child about this event, as you see appropriate.
As always, we remain committed to maintaining safe and welcoming schools for all students and families.
Thank you,
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent
Fillmore Unified School District

Soon to be retired from the United States Navy, Phillip C. Diaz of Fillmore.

Pictured is U.S. Navy Senior Chief Phillip C. Diaz with his family, Cynthia, Lily (3) and Hailee (5), Thanksgiving 2025 in Fillmore.
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U.S. Navy Senior Chief (E-8) Information Branch (I-Branch) Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) Phillip C. Diaz, a 2004 Fillmore High School (FHS) Graduate will retire from the United States Navy on February 28, 2026. In addition to FHS Phillip attended Piru Elementary School and Fillmore Middle School.
Growing up in Fillmore Phillip participated in Fillmore T-Ball, Little League, Fillmore High School Baseball and Football. Phillip was a member of the Piru 4-H Club raising the 1995 Grand Champion Swine named Tomasina, his first year in 4-H! Phillip is the Son of Richard and Carolyn Diaz and Brother to Arron Diaz, Brooke (Diaz) Heinrich and Julia (Diaz) Fitzgibbons. Phillip is the father of two beautiful daughters Hailee and Lily, Uncle to eleven nieces and nephews and has many uncles, aunts and cousins living in the San Diego area.
Despite living in “Padre Country” Phillip remains a Lifelong Dodger Fan! On May 22, 2024, Phillip was selected and honored as the “Dodgers Military Hero of The Game” when the Dodgers hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks. After retirement Phillip and Cynthia, children Hailee (5) and Lily (3) will remain the San Diego area where they have made their home and have lived for the past six years.
Phillip entered the Navy on October 31, 2005, as an Information Technician (IT) and received his approximately 10-week Basic Training and “C” School on the shores of Lake Michigan at the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, Illinois. During Phillip’s just over 20-years of service to his Country he has served on the USS McFaul (DD 74), USS Mt. Whitney (LCC 20) Communications Flagship ported in Gaeta, Italy, USS Russell (DDG 59) an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Phillip has also been stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Gaeta, Italy and San Diego.
Phillip has been deployed eight times. His longest deployment was at Bagram Air Base in Parwan Province, Afghanistan where he served for 1-year. There he served as an EOD ESU 2. Bagram Air Base was a frequent target for drone and missile attacks. One of Phillip’s memorable moments at Bagram, and there were many, was when his Nephew Michael O’Neal, an Army “Forward Observer” located Phillip at Bagram Air Base for an unforgettable reunion!
Phillip also was an instructor for both “C” and “F” Schools. Phillip visited many countries during his military service. He twice visited his “Birth Country and City” Busan, South Korea. When Phillip was born in 1986 Busan was known as Pusan. Since 2000 Pusan has been referred to Busan. It wasn’t a name change but a standardization of how Korean sounds are written in English to better reflect the native pronunciation of the English ‘p’ to the Korean softer ‘b’. A mountain near the city is also named Busan.
Phillip’s Family, Coworkers and Friends will witness his ‘Retirement Ceremony’ on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. onboard the USS Midway Museum. The Midway (CV-41) is a floating Aircraft Carrier commissioned in 1945 and docked in San Diego Harbor. The Fillmore Community thanks Senior Chief Phillip C. Diaz for his service and sacrifice to his Country.

On Friday, January 30, 2026, from approximately 5:30-7:30pm, about six Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters gathered in front of Fillmore City Hall. Following is the link to Homeland Security’s website, “Arrested: Worst of the Worst”, for Ventura County: https://www.dhs.gov/wow?combine=ventura&field_country_of_origin_target_i.... The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Photo credit Sebastian Ramirez.

Above is the Athletic Complex surrounded by vertical scaffolding, with masonry/grouting work taking place on the 16-foot walls. The FHS Athletic Complex project’s anticipated completion date is February 2026.
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Crews have competed trenching for footings and caisson layout.
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Above is a view of the main stadium and site looking towards the old gym.
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Above are crews welding the embeds at grid line 8 at the corners of the gym.
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Construction continues to make steady progress at the Fillmore High School Athletic Complex, with multiple trades actively working on structural, electrical, plumbing, and site development components. Masonry crews advanced vertical construction, completing scaffold work and grouting masonry walls up to approximately 16 feet in height. Structural embeds were welded at key grid line locations, supporting the ongoing buildout of the gym and surrounding athletic facilities.
Across the site, temporary power poles were installed to support ongoing construction activities, and overall site conditions continue to take shape as foundational work progresses. Aerial and ground-level views show the building footprint clearly defined, with structural walls rising and site utilities expanding throughout the complex. These coordinated efforts reflect continued momentum toward delivering a modern, high-quality athletic facility for Fillmore High students and the Fillmore/Piru community.

Bryan Jessie Garcia, 23, of Los Angeles

In December 2025, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit was notified of a missing juvenile from Ventura County. During the investigation, detectives located evidence indicating the juvenile was being sex trafficked in Los Angeles. Detectives from multiple investigative units within the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit, worked tirelessly to locate the juvenile. The juvenile was safely reunited with their family in early January.
Based on evidence found during the investigation, detectives identified Bryan Jessie Garcia, a 23-year-old resident of Los Angeles, as the juvenile victim’s trafficker.
Garcia used a popular social media platform to groom the juvenile, gain their trust, and eventually coerce the juvenile to leave their home in Ventura County to be sex trafficked near the Figueroa Street corridor, a known high-sex-trafficking area.
Traffickers commonly use social media platforms to identify, groom, and exploit minor victims. In this case, Garcia utilized online messaging to build rapport with the juvenile through consistent communication, flattery, and emotional manipulation. Over time, he normalized criminal behavior, offered perceived support and attention, and exploited the juvenile’s vulnerabilities. These grooming tactics are designed to establish trust, create dependency, and ultimately coerce minor victims into leaving their homes and engaging in commercial sex acts while under the trafficker’s control.
On January 23, 2026, a coordinated operation was conducted by detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. During the operation, detectives located and arrested Garcia near the Figueroa Street corridor in Los Angeles. A search warrant was also executed at Garcia’s residence in Los Angeles.
As a result of the investigation, Garcia was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violating the following California Penal Code sections, with his bail set at $1,000,000:
236.1(c) - Human Trafficking of a Minor.
261.5(d) – Unlawful Sexual Intercourse
288(b)(1) – Forcible Lewd Act Upon Child
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and guardians of the dangers of online grooming of minors. Traffickers often use social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps to build trust, manipulate vulnerable youth, and ultimately exploit them. Detectives encourage parents to stay engaged in their children’s online activity, watch for behavioral changes or secrecy, and maintain open communication, as awareness is a key factor in preventing exploitation.
Detectives encourage anyone who believes they are a victim, or who knows someone who may be a victim, to contact “211” or local law enforcement to be connected with support services.
Prepared by: Detective Nan Jiang
News Release Date: 01/26/2026
Approved by: Captain Matthew Young
Booking Photo Release: YES
***
Nature of Incident: Human Trafficking of a Minor Arrest
Reporting Number: 26-8919
Location(s): Figueroa Street corridor, Los Angeles
400 block of E 43rd Place, Los Angeles, CA
Date & Time: January 23, 2026 @ 1300
Unit(s) Responsible:
Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
Ventura County Sheriff Special Crimes Unit
Fillmore Police Department Detective Unit
Ventura County Sheriff Major Crimes
Ventura County Sheriff Crime Analysis Unit
Ventura County Sheriff Technical Surveillance Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, City of Residence, Age
(S) Bryan Jessie Garcia, Los Angeles, 23
(V) Juvenile, N/A, N/A

Fillmore High School is proudly recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of its football program, as 28 students earned 1st Team Academic All-League honors, seven students were named 1st Team Academic All-County, and two additional students received Honorable Mention distinction. These honors highlight the school’s commitment to developing true student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom through Fillmore High’s athletics program.
Head Football Coach Charlie Weis, Education Specialist Department Chair and Guiding Coalition/Instructional Leadership Member, praised the students’ accomplishments. As a Guiding Coalition/Instructional Leadership Member, Weis helps shape schoolwide academic and instructional priorities by collaborating with administrators and teacher leaders to improve teaching practices, student outcomes, and overall school culture. Weis said, “This season 28 of our varsity football players were named to the 1st team All-league Academic squad. Students needed to maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout the football season in order to be eligible for this honor. These 28 students represent over 50% of our varsity roster. That is an INCREDIBLE achievement. In addition, 7 of our athletes were named to the 1st team All-County academic team. 1st team honors require a cumulative GPA above 3.5 for the duration of their HS career and is only available for Seniors. 7 of our 21 seniors earning this honor is an incredible achievement. I want to thank Fillmore High Principal Cinda Francis and Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle for their continued support for our football program’s vision. Our emphasis on prioritizing academic achievement and true student athletes has been a resounding success.”