Above is evidence collected by the Ventura County Sheriff’s during their search warrant. Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
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During the first week of June 2025, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) began an investigation into a possible illicit firearms dealer operating out of the City of Fillmore. SEU Detectives identified the illicit firearms dealer as, City of Fillmore resident, (S) Timothy Padilla. During the investigation, SEU Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Padilla for a violation of California Penal Code Section 27545 – [ Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm]. During the second week of June 2025, SEU Detectives obtained a Ventura County search warrant signed by a Magistrate of the Ventura County Superior Court. The search warrant ordered detectives to search Padilla’s person, residence, vehicles, and property.

On 06/13/2025, at approximately 0700 hours, detectives assigned to various units and bureaus within the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office served the signed Ventura County search warrant at Padilla’s residence located in the 800 Block of Santa Clara Avenue, Fillmore. Padilla was contacted and swiftly taken into custody for the aforementioned violation.

Detectives began a search of Padilla’s residence. During the search detectives located firearms and ammunition strewn throughout the residence. Detectives ultimately located a total of 137 firearms, hundreds of firearm magazines, and approximately 100,000 rounds of various caliber ammunition.

A lengthy examination of the evidence ensued and detectives began categorizing the firearms. During the categorization process detectives identified multiple assault style firearms to include, a Fabrique Nationale Herstal 7.62 x 51mm NATO Assault Rifle, a Mac-10 style pistol with a vertical foregrip, and a Beretta 9mm Pistol with a threaded barrel capable of accepting a suppressor. Additionally, detectives located an M1919 Browing belt fed Machine Gun chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Detectives also located linked .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) rounds.

Through the investigation it was learned Padilla had been unlawfully transferring and selling assault weapons and other firearms to the residents of the County of Ventura. Padilla was ultimately arrested for California Penal Code Section 30605(a) – [ Possession of an Assault Weapon] and California Penal Code Section 27545.

Padilla was ultimately booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Based on the investigation and evidence located as a result of the search, detectives believed more likely than not any monetary funds possessed by Padilla would have been the proceeds of illicit firearm sales.
Based on the circumstances of the investigation, detectives petitioned the Ventura County Superior Court for an increased bail as well as to challenge Padilla’s source of bail. As a result, Padilla’s bail was set at $500,000.

On 06/17/2025, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office elected to file the following charges against Padilla: 10 counts of California Penal Code Section 27545, five counts of California Penal Code Section 30600(a) – [ Felony Transportation of Assault Weapons], and two counts of California Penal Code Section 30605(a).

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: Senior Deputy Frank W. Corona
News Release Date: 06/17/2025
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
Booking Photo Release: NO

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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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VCFD along with firefighters from Ventura City Fire, Oxnard Fire, LAFD, and Fillmore Fire conducted a controlled burn in Fillmore on Thursday, June 12th, 2025.

The controlled burn operation was part of the S219 Firing Operations class led by instructors from VCFD. This training provides firefighters with hands-on experience using strategic burn operations as part of their firefighting tactics. The burn also provided hands-on training for newly hired VCFD hand crew members in an active but controlled fire environment.

Controlled burns like this also allow firefighters to remove fuels when conditions are favorable, and are an important part of wildfire preparedness.

Pictured left is Lori McLain with her daughter Presley McLain. Presley was awarded the P.E.O. 2025-2026 STAR Scholarship for $2,500. Also, pictured right is Destiny Juarez with her mother Monica Loewen. Destiny was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the P. E.O. Sisterhood. Photo credit Jan Lee and Lori McLain.
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By Jan Lee

On Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, at the Fillmore High Senior Awards Night, the P.E.O. Sisterhood is one of the largest community-based women’s organizations in North America with almost 250,00 members. Our organization provides loans, grants and scholarships to women through its six philanthropies. We are committed to helping women achieve their educational goals.

Each year, chapter GY, Fillmore, holds fund raisers to procure money to give to women seeking further education. There are many deserving graduating seniors in the Fillmore Unified School District. This year we are giving a $1,000 scholarship to Destiny Juarez. She will be studying psychology at the university level with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. We wish her much success.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship recognizes the accomplishments of graduating high school young women planning to pursue post-secondary education. This candidate is nominated by the local chapter then selected by the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Board of Trustees of International Chapter who read the applications from outstanding young women from all over the United States and Canada. The STAR Board chose to honor Presley McLain with one of the 2025-2026 $2,500 scholarships. She will study business and marketing. Presley was selected because she has demonstrated excellence in leadership, extracurricular activities, community service, academics and potential for success.

We extend to both of these outstanding students our congratulations on their character and accomplishments. To all the Class of 2025 we say, make us proud! Your family, teachers and staff (from TK to seniors) have invested years to get you where you are. You are our future!

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=226.
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Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=226
Posted on: June 12, 2025 | Last Modified on: June 12, 2025

Safe & Sane Fireworks sales officially begin in Fillmore on June 28th! Celebrate responsibly while supporting a great cause — every firework purchased at an officially permitted booth helps fund local nonprofit organizations, with all proceeds going directly back into our community. Let’s work together to make this 4th of July safe, fun, and meaningful for everyone in Fillmore!

Click here: https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1059/Fireworks-Edu-Info--...
Fireworks - Safety - Sales - Regulations for more for Fireworks Sales Info, Safety Tips, & Regulations.

Keep it Legal

• Safe and Sane fireworks are legal within the city limits of Fillmore beginning June 28th,12:00 P.M.- July_5th, 12:00 P.M. Discharging safe and safe fireworks in Fillmore outside the permitted dates and times specified is illegal.

• Fireworks not displaying the State Fire Marshall’s safe & sane logo are illegal year round in all California cities.

• A citation will be issued to those found engaged in the sales/ discharge/possession of non-approved fireworks. The fine for this is $1,100 and may result in jail time.

• To report illegal activity please call the, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at 805-524- 2233.

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Never try to re-light or pick-up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

• Do not ignite fireworks if you are consuming alcohol.

• Nearly half of all fireworks related injuries are from sparklers.

• 51% of fireworks related injuries involve individuals 18 years of age or younger

• Do not discharge fireworks near dry weeds, brush or other fire prone areas. Negligent discharge of fireworks can result in
fines or jail time.

• Fireworks purchased in the City of Fillmore are only legal here. Fireworks are illegal in all other Ventura County Cities.

• Visitors to the City of Fillmore are encouraged to visit a public park to discharge their fireworks.

Christian Hillairet, 24, of Santa Paula

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, at approximately 9:09 p.m., Sheriff’s Dispatch received multiple calls stating a female may have been murdered at a residence in the 12000 block of Sisar Road in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. When Fillmore deputies arrived, they confirmed there was a deceased female in the residence and evidence at the scene indicated she was a victim of a homicide.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau assumed responsibility for the investigation and quickly identified Christian Hillairet as a person of interest.
During the morning hours of June 1, 2025, investigators learned that Hillairet crossed into Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing. Working with multiple federal agencies, Hillairet was located and arrested on June 2, 2025, in Rosarito, Baja California. United States and Mexican authorities coordinated to repatriate Hillairet back to the United States where he could be taken into custody by local authorities.

On June 4, 2025, the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau sent a contingent of investigators and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent to the San Ysidro border crossing. Mexican authorities released custody of Hillairet into the control of the U.S. Marshals Service who in turn released Hillairet to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Investigators.
Hillairet was transported back to Ventura County where he was booked on June 5, 2025, for the murder of Carolyn NinoDeRivera, a violation of California Penal Code Section 187(a).

Prepared by: Detective Michael Marco
News Release Date: June 5, 2025
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina
Booking Photo Release: YES

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Ojai Handyman Charged with Two Ventura County Murders

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christian Alexandre Hillairet (DOB 09/02/99), of Ojai, has been charged with two counts of murder for the May 2025 killing of Carolyn Nino De Rivera and the 2023 death of William Thompson, a City of Ventura resident. Prosecutors have filed several special allegations against Hillairet, including commission of more than one murder, use of a deadly weapon, and a strike prior.

On May 31, 2025, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula following multiple reports of a possible homicide. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a deceased woman inside the home and determined she was the victim of a homicide.

Sheriff’s Office detectives quickly identified Christian Hillairet as a person of interest in the case. On June 1, 2025, they learned he had crossed into Mexico through the San Ysidro border. With help from federal agencies, he was found and arrested the next day in Rosarito, Baja California. On June 4, 2025, Ventura County detectives and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent met Mexican authorities at the San Ysidro border, where Hillairet was transferred to the custody of the
U.S. Marshals Service and then to Ventura County authorities.

During the investigation, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura Police Department obtained information that linked Hillairet to a second alleged murder involving the death of William Thompson, in the City of Ventura on November 3, 2023. Thompson was allegedly bludgeoned to death with a weapon.

“The defendant’s alleged actions reflect a chilling pattern of violence and cruelty,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “Our office is committed to securing justice for these victims and prosecuting Hillairet to the fullest extent of the law.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Hillairet is scheduled to make his first appearance in on Friday June 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without the possibility for bail.

Case: 2025013878
Defendant Information:
Christian Alexandre Hillairet (DOB 09/02/99) Ojai
Charges:
• (2 counts) PC 187(a) – Murder
Special Allegations:
• PC 190.2(a)(3) – Commission of more than one murder
• PC 12022(b)(2) – Use of deadly weapon
• PC 667S2 – Prior strike 2
• PC 1170(h)(3) – Prior serious or violent felony, prison eligibility
• PC 667(a)(1) – Serious felony prior