VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Vidal Vargas Morales (DOB 12/30/60), of Fillmore, was convicted by a Ventura County jury of one felony count of lewd acts upon a child who was 15 years old. The court also found true the special allegation that Morales took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.

In 2013, Morales worked as a youth coordinator for a church in Fillmore. During that time, he met the victim who attended catechism classes. Between October and November 2013, Morales began inappropriate communications with the victim, both verbally and through text messages. In early November 2013, Morales grabbed and fondled the victim. The crime was reported years later. Other victims who had similar experiences with Morales testified during the trial.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Kern, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“I am grateful to the victim for her courage in reporting the crime and testifying at trial,” Mr. Kern said. “I am also thankful to the additional victims who testified about their experiences—dating back to 1999—demonstrating the defendant’s continued pattern of criminal conduct. While today’s verdict can never fully heal the damage done by the defendant to these victims, I am hopeful that this conviction will help in the continuing healing process and send a message to other offenders that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community.”

Morales is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains out of custody on $20,000 bail pending sentencing.

Case: 2016023855
Defendant Information:
Vidal Vargas Morales (DOB 12/30/60)
Fillmore

Charges:
PC 288(c)(1) – Lewd act upon a child
Special Allegations:
CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense

 


 
On Friday, December 1, at 4:35 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a reported fight in progress in the 500 block of Sespe Avenue. An arriving deputy found two female subjects involved in a physical altercation. While deputies investigated the scene, AMR paramedics were dispatched for one of the female subjects. She was transported to Santa Paula Hospital with facial injuries. According to public records, the second subject, Alica Robles, 52, was arrested for PC 243(d), aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury, and was taken to the Ventura County Main Jail Facility. Bail was set at $50,000. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Friday, December 1, at 4:35 p.m., Fillmore Police Department was dispatched to a reported fight in progress in the 500 block of Sespe Avenue. An arriving deputy found two female subjects involved in a physical altercation. While deputies investigated the scene, AMR paramedics were dispatched for one of the female subjects. She was transported to Santa Paula Hospital with facial injuries. According to public records, the second subject, Alica Robles, 52, was arrested for PC 243(d), aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury, and was taken to the Ventura County Main Jail Facility. Bail was set at $50,000. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On Sunday, December 3, at 5:09 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported traffic collision at River Street and B Street. Arriving firefighters reported a two-vehicle accident, with one vehicle on its roof and a second vehicle parked. A solo female patient was taken out from the vehicle, treated by on-scene paramedics, and transported to a local hospital; condition unknown. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Sunday, December 3, at 5:09 p.m., Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore City Fire, and AMR Paramedics were dispatched to a reported traffic collision at River Street and B Street. Arriving firefighters reported a two-vehicle accident, with one vehicle on its roof and a second vehicle parked. A solo female patient was taken out from the vehicle, treated by on-scene paramedics, and transported to a local hospital; condition unknown. Cause of the crash is under investigation. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the streets of downtown Fillmore were filled with folks waiting to catch the Annual Fillmore Lions Club 2023 Christmas Parade. At 10am the parade began with Fillmore VFW POST 9637 leading the way, and the Fillmore High marching band following as they played Christmas music for all to hear. Inset, the Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Club of Fillmore. Below are Piru Elementary students marching in the parade along with all the other Fillmore Unified Schools. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the streets of downtown Fillmore were filled with folks waiting to catch the Annual Fillmore Lions Club 2023 Christmas Parade. At 10am the parade began with Fillmore VFW POST 9637 leading the way, and the Fillmore High marching band following as they played Christmas music for all to hear. Inset, the Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Club of Fillmore. Below are Piru Elementary students marching in the parade along with all the other Fillmore Unified Schools. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On November 3, 2023, detectives with the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit arrested Ricky Barragan, David Vargas, and a male juvenile for being involved in an illegal marijuana delivery service which sold marijuana to minors.

During the month of October 2023, a Camarillo School Resource Officer (SRO) received information regarding a marijuana delivery service which sold marijuana to residents of the City of Camarillo and other cities located in Ventura County. There was also information that the delivery service was selling marijuana to minors.

The information was relayed to detectives with the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit who began an investigation into Won’t Stop Collective. As a result of the investigation, detectives learned that Ricky Barragan, David Vargas, and a male juvenile were involved in the delivery service.

On November 2, 2023, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit detectives obtained a signed search warrant for Barragan, Vargas, the juvenile and their residences located on the 2600 Block of Sextant Avenue in the City of Port Hueneme, 1000 Block of Falcon Way in the City of Fillmore, and 300 Block of West Harvard Boulevard in the City of Santa Paula.

On November 3, 2023, the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit with the assistance of the Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, and the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit served the search warrant at the locations. During the service of the warrant, Barragan, Vargas, and the juvenile were arrested for their involvement in the unlawful sale of marijuana.

During the service of the search warrant at Barragan’s residence, an unsecured firearm and loaded magazine were located within a few feet of a sleeping three-year old child. Detectives seized several illegal firearms and evidence related to the marijuana delivery service from the residences.

Barragan and Vargas were booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for violations of Health and Safety Code 11360(a) / Sales of Marijuana, Health and Safety Code 11361(b) / Sales of Marijuana to a Juvenile, and Penal Code 182(a)(1) / Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. The juvenile was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center where he was ultimately released pending a future court date.

The Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit would like to remind the public of the importance of proper firearm storage. Leaving firearms where they can be accessed by juveniles is not only dangerous, but illegal.

The Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit is comprised of a sergeant and four detectives, whose focus is assisting patrol services with the investigation of various crimes including, but not limited to, the investigation of illegal firearms, gang related crimes, and graffiti vandalism.

Nature of Incident: Marijuana Delivery Service and Illegal Firearms Investigation
Report Number: 23-1400770
Location:
2600 Block Sextant Avenuem Port Hueneme
1000 Block of Falcon Way, Fillmore
300 Block of West Harvard Boulevard, Santa Paula

Date & Time: 11/3/2023 @ 7:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Community Resource Unit

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(S) Ricky Barragan Port Hueneme 29
(S) David Vargas Fillmore 20
(S) Juvenile Male Santa Paula 17

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Steve Krupnik
Approved: Captain Jason Hendren

 

This year’s annual Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway will be held Saturday, December 16th from 9am to noon at the City of Fillmore Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane. This is the annual event where holiday commodities are given to the children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries. Anyone who is sick is asked not to attend and arrangements may be made for home delivery. Commodities given will be age-appropriate toys, new jackets/coats, reading books and socks. As is customary, a holiday bag of groceries will also be available for each family while supply last. Santa will be available for a picture with each child. As a reminder, this event is only for children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries, you must provide proof of residency within the School District such as a utility bill, report card or driver’s license.

This year’s sponsors of the event include our local Fillmore Police and Fire Departments, Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, One Step A La Vez, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, Rotary International of Fillmore, Fillmore Lions Club, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Fillmore Citizen’s Patrol, Fillmore Women’s Service Club, Fillmore Friends of the Library, Super A, Salvation Army, the Fillmore Fire Foundation and numerous other generous personal and business donors. Our sponsor list will be updated week to week.

If you would like to help donate to the Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway, you may give new toys, socks, reading books or canned food; drop boxes are located at the Fillmore Police Station, Fillmore City Fire Station, local banks and Diamond Realty. Monetary donations are preferred this year to reduce person to person contact, checks may be made out to “The Fillmore Fire Foundation” with a notation of “Holiday Giveaway”. Donations may be mailed to Fillmore Fire Foundation, PO Box 331, Fillmore, CA 93016 or for drop off, stop by the Fillmore City Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane.

 
On Monday, December 4, at 6:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Fire were dispatched to a vehicle rollover on SR-23 and Guiberson Road, Bardsdale. Arriving firefighters reported a solo vehicle on its roof into the ditch. According to CHP no injuries were reported. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Monday, December 4, at 6:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol and Ventura County Fire were dispatched to a vehicle rollover on SR-23 and Guiberson Road, Bardsdale. Arriving firefighters reported a solo vehicle on its roof into the ditch. According to CHP no injuries were reported. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On Sunday, December 3, the Fillmore Fire Foundation kicked off their Holiday Toy Drive by hosting their annual BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser to collect donations that are used to purchase hundreds of toys for children in the Fillmore/Piru area. From 5pm to 7pm folks were able to swing by the Fillmore High School cafeteria in the horseshoe area and pick up their meal. A complete chicken dinner meal was prepared for anyone wanting to donate $15 or a brand-new toy valued at $15 or more, to be given away at the Community Holiday Giveaway event to be held December 16, 2023.Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Sunday, December 3, the Fillmore Fire Foundation kicked off their Holiday Toy Drive by hosting their annual BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser to collect donations that are used to purchase hundreds of toys for children in the Fillmore/Piru area. From 5pm to 7pm folks were able to swing by the Fillmore High School cafeteria in the horseshoe area and pick up their meal. A complete chicken dinner meal was prepared for anyone wanting to donate $15 or a brand-new toy valued at $15 or more, to be given away at the Community Holiday Giveaway event to be held December 16, 2023.Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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Pictured above is Brandon Alvarez with the Heritage Valley Blazers Board Members who came by to visit, play video games and bearing gifts. They also made a considerable donation towards family expenses towards his recovery and brought some cool HV Blazers fan gear.
Pictured above is Brandon Alvarez with the Heritage Valley Blazers Board Members who came by to visit, play video games and bearing gifts. They also made a considerable donation towards family expenses towards his recovery and brought some cool HV Blazers fan gear.
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Courtesy Brandy Hollis

Brandon with Heritage Valley Blazer Board Members

Megan Hadley, who was on-scene at the time of the accident, comes bearing gifts of dinner and cards. Irma Alvarez with tears, hugs her and calls her her angel. Doctors told Irma if it wasn’t for Megan’s quick thinking to stabilize him with the help of an unknown woman, along with keeping him conscious, he might not have lived. Her daughter, Zoey Hadley, called 911, while her mom rendered assistance. Doctors also advised Irma if it wasn’t also for Brandon’s helmet, he very well might not be here today. The bone was still protruding on his forehead when transported to Children’s Hospital LA. The next day they were able to perform surgery to close the large holes, which are healing beautifully. Brandon had to undergo this surgery awake and cringed talking about it. In the next week or so the doctors will advise if Brandon has to undergo intensive surgery based on how he is healing.

Heritage Valley Blazers Board Members came by to visit, play video games and bearing presents. They made a considerable donation towards family expenses for his recovery and brought some cool HV Blazers fan gear.
Brandon’s hallway is covered in get well cards and his soccer picture featured in the Gazette is framed. His mother, Irma, is so overcome by the outpouring of the community; she never realized how much it really cared or how good someone else’s well wishes and deeds could make a person feel. All of your prayers have been working and she asks for continued prayers. She told me that when Brandon is healed, she wants to become more involved doing compassionate work in the community that has been a rock for her in her time in need.

Brandon has smiles and is healing, but he doesn’t like that his mom has to cut his favorite shirts to get them over his neck brace. Besides playing sports, Brandon is very musically talented; plays the violin and accordion. He was carrying his instrument home that fateful day. I can’t wait for him to get better so I can hear him play in person for myself.
If you have any information regarding the accident the family asks you contact them at alvarezja_93015@ yahoo.com.