On June 2, 2008, the Santa Paula Police Department in cooperation with over 55 officers from the California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara Police Department, Port Hueneme Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney's Investigations Unit, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), Ventura County Probation Department, Department of Homeland Security, Ventura County Parole Department, John Paul Getty Museum K.-9 Unit, Guadalupe Police Department, Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department, and the City of Santa Paula Building & Safety Department, conducted citywide probation and parole searches. These searches targeted gang members and narcotic offenders who are on probation or parole to ensure they are in compliance with the terms and conditions of their probation or parole.
There were a total of 40 residences searched and as a result, 17 subjects were arrested for various charges including Possession of dangerous weapons, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, resisting arrest, probation violations and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Additionally, one subject who was found to be in the United States illegally was detained by the United States Customs and Immigration Enforcement and is awaiting deportation.
Of these 17 subjects arrested, 15 were adults and 2 were juveniles all who reside in the City of Santa Paula. Arrested was: Pascual Escoto 33 years, John Rochelle 20 years, Maria Montiel 43 years, Mayra Montiel 18 years, Armando Garcia 24 years, Donovan Bustillos 35 years, Anthony Nevarez 21 years, Rene Vasquez Jr. 20 years, Daniel Alaniz 54 years, Moises Alaniz 58 years, Robert Alaniz 52 years, Comelio Perez Jr. 23 years, Miguel Reyes 27 years. Juvenile male 16 years, and Juvenile male 17 years.
All of the subjects found to be under the influence of a controlled substance were evaluated by Drug Recognition Experts. A "Drug Recognition Expert" Certification Site was established to certify CHP officers and Ventura County Sheriff deputies as Drug Recognition Experts (D.R.E.'s). D.R.E.'s are court recognized experts of persons under the influence of narcotics. This was the 12th successful certification site organized by the Santa Paula Police Department and CHP. There are approximately 20 D.R.E.'s within Ventura County. Of those 20 D.R.E.'s, the Santa Paula Police Department has 4 certified officers.
This operation was extremely successful and sends a strong message to criminals within Santa Paula. The Santa Paula Police Department will not tolerate these subjects committing crimes and/or violating the terms and conditions of their probation or parole. This is a great example of city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to combat gang and narcotic related crimes within the County of Ventura.