Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s office
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On 07/25/2025, patrol deputies arrested Juan Manuel Medina-Aguilar for a felony out of state warrant, being under the
influence of a controlled substance, and firearm related charges.

At about 2:30 PM, patrol deputies from the Fillmore Station conducted foot patrol in the Santa Clara river bottom near the
Chambersburg Bridge. This area is in the unincorporated river bottom south of Fillmore.

During their foot patrol, deputies contacted Medina-Aguilar who displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a
controlled substance. Medina-Aguilar was arrested for violation of Health & Safety Code § 11550(a) – [Under the Influence
of a Controlled Substance]. During the contact, deputies located an encampment nearby, believed to be associated with
Medina-Aguilar. Based on the investigation, patrol deputies worked with detectives, who obtained a search warrant for the
encampment in question. As a result of the warrant service, deputies located a loaded .22 caliber revolver, suspected
methamphetamine, and evidence linking Medina-Aguilar to the encampment.

Medina-Aguilar was subsequently arrested for violations of Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of a Controlled
Substance While Armed with a Firearm], Penal Code § 27545 – [Unlawful Firearm Transfer], and Penal Code 23900 – [Possession
of Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number]. Additionally, a records check showed Medina-Aguilar had a felony warrant
from Franklin County, Ohio. Medina-Aguilar was also arrested for the warrant and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention
Facility.

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 “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and
@FILLMOREPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts
and advisories.

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote

News Release Date: 07/29/2025

Approved by:Captain Eduardo Malagon

Booking Photo Release: NO 1

By SCVWF Board of Directors

On Wednesday, 28 and Thursday, 29 of May 2025, the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation honored several graduating students
from Fillmore and Santa Paula High School with the Dr. Alan J. Peterson Scholarship. During the Fillmore High School Award
Assembly on May 28th, Board Member Sandra Perello had the privilege of presenting this scholarship to Luz Canstañeda and Diana
Santa Rosa. The following day, at Santa Paula High School’s Senior Scholarship Night, Board Member Carmen Hernandez awarded
the scholarship to Josefina Tellez, Audry Garza, Nicole Magaña, and Audri Rose Riggatire. This renewable $1,000 scholarship is
designed to support these remarkable students in their pursuit of healthcare undergraduate studies for four years.
Congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable academic accomplishments and commitment!

***

The Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation (SCVWF) provides renewable Scholarships to numerous high school students from Santa
Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. We can do this thanks to ongoing community support and contributions.

On 07/28/2025, (S) Jose Ignacio Suarez was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, unlawful firearm transfer, and delaying peace officers in the performance of their duties. Additionally, Erasmo Hurtado was arrested for a local misdemeanor warrant, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and delaying peace officers in the performance of their duties.

On 07/27/2025, at about 11:51 PM, diligent members of the community reported two males fighting in the parking lot at the Rancho Sespe Apartments resulting in a shooting. These apartments are in the 2900 block of E. Telegraph Road east of Fillmore. Patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded and determined Jose Ignacio Suarez negligently discharged two rounds from a rifle in an unknown direction. Deputies attempted to contact Suarez and directed him and any other occupant of the residence to exit residence. Suarez refused and additional Sheriff’s resources were summoned to the scene.

On 07/28/2025, at about 2:44 AM, after numerous announcements, Suarez finally exited the apartment and was arrested for violation of Penal Code § 148(a)(1) – [Obstruct, Resist, or Delay a Peace Officer].

As detectives and deputies were securing the apartment pending a search warrant, another subject, later identified as (S) Erasmo Hurtado was located hiding inside the apartment. Hurtado had an active misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and was subsequently arrested for his warrant, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and Penal Code § 148(a)(1).

At approximately 8:15 AM, Fillmore detectives obtained a search warrant for Suarez’ apartment and executed the warrant with assistance from patrol deputies and West County Special Enforcement Unit detectives. As a result, additional evidence linking Suarez to the shooting was recovered, which included a .22 caliber rifle.

Ultimately, Suarez was arrested for Penal Code § 246.3(a) – [Negligent Discharge of a Firearm], Health & Safety Code § 11550(e) – [Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance While Armed with a Firearm], and Penal Code § 148(a)(1).

Both Suarez and Hurtado were transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and booked for the aforementioned offenses pending court proceedings.

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detectives, West County Special Enforcement Unit
Date & Time: 07/27/2025 @ 11:51 PM
Location: Rancho Sespe Apartments 2900 Block of E. Telegraph Road

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Jose Ignacio Suarez Unincorporated Fillmore 31
(S) Erasmo Hurtado Fillmore 36

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

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On 07/20/2025, at about 4:09 PM, patrol deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to several reports of a shooting outside of a liquor store located in the 4000 block of E. Center Street. This business is in a quiet, unincorporated community known as Piru.

Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for medical care. The victim was treated and is currently in stable condition.

Detectives and deputies from multiple units and stations responded to assist with the investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are asking for the public’s assistance with obtaining any information regarding the incident. Anyone with information about the shooing is asked to contact Detective Axel Morales at (805) 477-7011 or Detective Dustin Heersche at (805) 477-7012. Tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), where callers can remain anonymous.

Nature of Incident: Shooting Investigation
Report Number: 25-91261
Location: 4000 Block of E. Center Street, unincorporated community of Piru
Date & Time: 07/20/2025 @ 4:09 PM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station, Moorpark Patrol Station, Headquarters Patrol Station, Fillmore Bureau of Investigation, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Advanced Real Time Information Center (ARTIC)

S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V) Adult Male Piru 23

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
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The Fillmore Police Department Encourages Residents to Participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025.

Fillmore community members are invited to participate in National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 from 5 p.m. - 7
p.m. This is an opportunity to engage in relationship building with deputies, firefighters, and other selected
representatives.

National Night Out is an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community
partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that make our neighborhoods safer all year round. National Night Out is a
community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. Ventura Crumble Cookie and Fillmore Starbucks have
been kind enough to donate snacks and refreshments for this event.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for local residents to meet and greet different team members assigned to various
Sheriff’s Specialized Units for an evening of activities,” said Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. “Community policing
is more critical than ever before. It’s important for our community members to engage with our team in a positive
environment and know that we are truly here to serve them and keep them safe.”

The City of Fillmore, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to maintaining the
safety of all residents by continuing community partnerships.

The Fillmore Police Department invites the community to come out and ask questions, get crime prevention advice, and get to
know the officers in your neighborhood. Together, we are making communities safer, more caring places to live.

This event will be held at the Fillmore Police Station on Tuesday, August 5th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM. To learn more about
National Night Out in the City of Fillmore, contact Sergeant Jarrod Foote at the Fillmore Police Department, 805-524-2233.

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote

News Release Date: 07/21/2025

Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured is a city contracted Veolia van, with CCTV monitoring a sewer line at Burlington and B Streets. The monitoring equipment can be seen inside the van, and the manhole provides access to the sewer lines. Photo credit Fillmore Gazette Staff.
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Veolia North America, which operates and maintains the Fillmore Water Recycling Plant (WRP) under a contract with the City
of Filmore, was inspecting sewer lines at Burlington and B Street on Monday, July 21, 2025. A specialized remote-controlled
camera was inserted into the main line, transmitting real-time video footage to a monitor, allowing the inspector to
visually identify cracks or imperfections in the line, blockages or clogs caused by debris, grease or roots, tree root
intrusions, separation or failure of the line, or pipe material and age-related deterioration. Pictured is the monitor and
manhole entry point of the camera. The City of Fillmore owns the Fillmore WRP and provides domestic wastewater collection,
treatment, and disposal services for the city. The City Engineer and the Superintendent oversee the contract with Veolia for
these sewer services.

In March 2023, Fillmore experienced a significant sewer line break at the intersection of C Street and Ventura Street (SR
126).

This incident involved a collapsed sewer main and resulted in sewage leak estimated to be around 148,000 gallons, some of
which flowed into the Santa Clara River. Beaches near the mouth of the Santa Clara River, from Ventura Harbor to Oxnard
Shores, were closed and warning signs posted due to potential contamination.

The City contracted with construction companies to reroute the wastewater and repair the collapsed sewer line. By December
2023, the City Council approved final contracts for the nearly completed repairs, which totaled just under $10 million, with
a substantial portion covered by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) award.

Lane closures on Highway 126 in the vicinity of the break impeded traffic for months while the City of Fillmore declared a
state of emergency to expedite repair efforts.

(The Gazette reached out to the City for more information on the coming C Street repairs, with no response.)

On Monday, July 21, 2025, at around 9:20pm, on Old Telegraph Road near the 7th Street turnoff, a white vehicle, possibly a
truck, crossed into the opposite lane and hit my daughter’s vehicle. Also in the car with my daughter were my two
granddaughters.

Thank God, due to my daughter’s great driving skills and God watching her and her daughters, she kept from going into the
ditch or possibly having a more fatal accident.

I would like to address the coward who hit them and drove off, without any consideration that he could have injured or killed
someone in the vehicle he/she hit. Shame on you. How would feel if it was your family?

I’m asking if anyone with any information to please contact the CHP or Sheriff’s Dept. if you witnessed the incident or a
vehicle driving at a high speed during the above date on Old Telegraph Road on July 21, 2025, at that time, or have heard of
someone talking about this incident. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Teresa & Susan Torres

805-727-0325

Fillmore Sheriff

805-524-2233

CHP Officer Daniel Perez

805-662-2640

On Friday, July 11th, at 5:30pm, multiple units were called out to a traffic collision eastbound on Highway 126 near the LA County Line, claiming two lives. The highway was closed for over an hour. Photo credit California Highway Patrol.
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On Friday, July 11th, at 5:30 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, AMR Paramedics, Air Squad, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a reported traffic collision eastbound SR126 near LA County Line. According to the California Highway Patrol in a statement “Officers have concluded that a 40-year-old Fillmore man was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe westbound on the road when the vehicle traveled into the eastbound lane and directly into the path an oncoming 2016 Subaru for unknown reasons. A 46-year-old man driving the Subaru died at the scene, emergency crews found him trapped in the driver’s seat and unresponsive his residence was not provided. The Fillmore man was transported by helicopter to Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Three other men in the Tahoe were taken by ambulance to Heary Mayo Memorial Hospital for treatment for major injuries. It’s not clear what their relationship was to the driver. A third vehicle, which was a red Tesla, was struck by debris from the crash but sustained little to no damage. No arrest was made, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs is still unknown. The highway was partially closed for a little over an hour in the vicinity of crash while the helicopter was on scene and CHP officers investigated the crash.
The identities of the two deceased individuals have not been released yet by the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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On Tuesday, July 15, at about 11am, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents called the Fillmore Sheriff’s Communication Center and reported they were being followed around by an aggressive female driver in a silver Toyota sport utility vehicle. The ICE agents reported the female began following them while they were traveling eastbound on SR-126, just outside the Fillmore city limits. The federal agents drove to the Fillmore Police Station parking lot in an effort to de-escalate tensions and prevent dangerous traffic related issues. While at the police station deputies contacted the parties involved, kept the peace, and determined no crime had been committed. The female driver, an Oxnard resident, was warned on the use of a PA system installed on her vehicle while operating a motor vehicle, pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 27007. All parties left the area a short time later without any further incident. Videos of the woman talking over her PA system can be found at www.FillmoreGazette.com.

UPDATE: On 07/08/2025, Camarillo Traffic Investigators and Fillmore Detectives arrested (S) Myryam Castillo from Fillmore for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for her involvement in a double fatal traffic collision that occurred on 07/02/2025.

On 07/02/2025, at approximately 2045 hours, deputies responded to the area of 1305 Ventura Street in reference to an injury traffic collision. Upon arrival, it was determined two vehicles collided head on in the west bound lanes of Ventura Street west of “D” Street.

During the investigation, Camarillo Traffic Investigators obtained evidence establishing Castillo had consumed alcohol prior to driving her vehicle. Castillo drove her car across the two-way center turn lane of Ventura Street, eventually traveling east in the west bound lanes. The front of Castillo’s vehicle struck the front of (D) Maria DonDiego’s vehicle. The collision resulted in the death of DonDiego and Castillo’s five-year old son. Two other children were also seriously injured in the collision and treated at local hospitals.

On 07/08/2025, Camarillo Traffic Investigators and Fillmore Detectives arrested Castillo for two counts of Penal Code section 191.5 - Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated. Castillo was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and later released after posting $100,000 bail.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information about the incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Bradley Bordon at (805)-388-5146 or bradley.bordon@ventura.org.

Prepared by: Deputy Bradley Bordon

News Release Date: 07/09/2025

Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Booking Photo Release: NO

By Heritage Valley Blazers, Kenny Leighton

Ethan Leighton and Carlos Marin have both qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Savanah Georgia next week.

The T&F season has been a long one for these two athletes, starting in February here in Fillmore and culminating next week in Savannah GA.

Ethan who competes in the 13–14-year-old division will run in his favorite event the 800m, he is also scheduled to run the 4X800 meter relay with members of Valley United Striders out of Valencia.
Ethan has had a strong 800m season winning 5 of 6 league meets and placing 2nd in the Conference championships. Ethan’s post-season found him competing against some of the best 800m runners on the west coast, each week improving his time and gaining the experience needed to race in these large meets, lowering his personal best to a 2:11.09. Having qualified and receiving invites to the Nike Outdoor National Championships in the 400m and the New Balance Outdoor championships in the 800m. Ethan made the decision to attempt to qualify and take the USATF qualifying route which took him to Cerritos, Las Vegas and finally to Savannah. This will be his last race has a youth competing for HV Blazers, in the fall he will be attending St Bonaventure where he will run XC, Track and his first love acting for the Drama club.

Carlos, who competes in the 8U division and will be competing in the 1500m has had an equally successful year. The conference does not run the 1500m but rather the 1600m, he won 4 of the 5 meets and placed 1st in the conference championships. Once post season started Carlos moved to the 1500 where he competed against some of the west coast’s best 8u 1500 runners. Beginning his quest for a ticket to Savannah Carlos competed in Cerritos 3 times, at the West Coast Classic, the Jets invitational, and the USATF Association meet then to Las Vegas for the regional championships and ultimately getting that qualification to Savannah. With this being early in Carlos’s running journey with the Blazers his coaches are looking forward to continuing to help him grow and continue to be successful on the track.

Both Ethan and Carlos are also members of the Fillmore Condors Cross Country club, and both competed in the USATF Junior Olympic National Cross Country championships in December 2024 in Indiana with Carlos being a member of the team that took Overall 3rd place in the 8u division.
The Fillmore Condors are currently holding signups as they prepare for the 2025XC season.