Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A Sheriff’s patrol sergeant’s late night observation led to the arrest of three Los Angeles residents for attempting to steal a recreational vehicle parked for sale on the side of the road in Fillmore.

On March 20th, 2019, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a Fillmore patrol sergeant observed suspicious activity near “D” Street and Ventura Street in the city of Fillmore. The sergeant observed three individuals near a recreational trailer that was parked for sale just off the roadway. The sergeant investigated further and discovered that one individual, Oleksandr Skalish, claimed to have purchased the trailer. Two other subjects, Gerald Clasen and Kirstyn Paquet, claimed to be good Samaritans who were merely helping Skalish hook the trailer up to his pickup.

Shortly after obtaining his identification, Skalish fled on foot and eluded capture, but Clasen and Paquet remained on scene.

After further investigation, deputies learned the travel trailer did not belong to any of the subjects.
The owner was contacted and confirmed he parked the trailer at the location to sell it. The suspects did not know or contact the victim of the trailer to make the purchase.

In addition, a records check of the truck occupied by Skalish revealed the vehicle was reported stolen out of the Los Angeles area. Gerald Clasen and Kirstyn Paquet, were arrested and booked at the Main Jail for VC 10851(a)- unlawful taking of a vehicle and PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to commit a crime.

Detectives continued the investigation into Skalish and discovered he was arrested after the aforementioned crime by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He was charged with an unrelated vehicle theft. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Skalish. After completing his sentence in Los Angeles County, Skalish was arrested VC 10851(a)-Unlawful taking of a vehicle and PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to commit a crime. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Prepared by: Detective Eric Tumbleson #4673
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Pictured Diana Impeartrice (right) of the City of Fillmore Human Resource’s Department announced that Lani Farr has been appointed to the Fillmore Parks and Recreation Department.

City Council approved Final Map Tract No. 5520-2 for condominium purposes and authorized the Mayor to sign the map and direct the City Clerk to record the map with the County Recorder's office.

City Council adopted the plans and specifications (PS&E) and approved the advertisement of bids for the construction of the Neighborhood Street Resurfacing and Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Repair Spec No. 18-04 to resurface streets and repair sidewalks and curb and gutters using SB-1 funds.

Council Directed staff to initiate action for the City to purchase the Towne Theatre from the Successor Redevelopment Agency at the appraised value.

Upon recommendation from the Interview Selection Committee, Council appointed Lani Farr to the Parks and Rec. Commission, term ending January 31, 2023.

WHEREAS, the City Manager has submitted the 2019-20 Recommended Budget to the City Council for its review and consideration; and WHEREAS, subsequent to providing the public an opportunity to submit written and oral comments, the City Council reviewed and modified, as appropriate, the FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 54, an action of the City Council is necessary to commit budget amounts in various funds for the specific purposes they are intended.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Fillmore as follows:SECTION 1. The FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget (Exhibit 1) is hereby approved and will be referred to as the FY 2019-20 Approved Budget. SECTION 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.

FOLLING ACTIONS WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL:
Actions to approve the Engineer’ Annual Levy Report and Order the Levy of Assess-ments:1. Adopt Resolution 19-3705 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the City of Fillmore Landscape and Lighting District No. 02, for Fiscal Year 2019/2020; 2. Adopt Resolution 19-3706 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Confirming the Diagram and Assessment and Ordering the Annual Levy and Collection of Assessments within the City of Fillmore Landscape and Lighting District No. 2 for Fiscal Year 2019/2020; 3. Adopt Resolution 19-3703 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the City of Fillmore Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District 2007-1, for Fiscal Year 2019/2020; and 4. Adopt Resolution 19-3704 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Confirming the Diagram and Assessment and Ordering the Annual Levy and Collection of Assessments within the City of Fillmore Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1, for Fiscal Year 2019/2020.

ALL APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO 19-3702 CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND ORDERING THE ANNUAL LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FILLMORE STORM DRAIN MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS FOR FY 2019/20

STAFF WAS DIRECTED to prepare a contract with Just Communities to provide interpretation services at City Council meetings starting in July 2019 in a form approved by the City Attorney and City Manager and authorize the Mayor to sign this contract.

City Council appropriated the use of $25,000 from reserves, and in following years budget the $25,000 as part of the general fund budget. The total funding request is $125,000 over five (5) years for the Ventura County Library for collections.

Council considered Ordinance No. 19-909 TO ELIMINATE REGULATIONS FOR BAR MAIDS AND ADOPTION OF A FINDING OF EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.

On May 13th, District 3 County Supervisor Kelly Long announced that Field Representative Manuel Minjares will conduct satellite office hours in Fillmore beginning this month. Office hours will begin Friday May 24th, 2019 at Fillmore City Hall located at 250 Central Avenue 93015, from 9 AM until noon. This Fillmore location will be available every other month beginning 5/24/17. “I want to have a presence in all the areas of my district so we can best serve the needs of our constituents”, said Supervisor Long. “This new office in Fillmore makes the third satellite location, following Port Hueneme and Santa Paula. Accessibility for the public is critical and I am committed to ensuring we deliver that”. If anyone would like a meeting to discuss district related issues they may call 805-654-2276 and request an appointment at the new Fillmore location. The public is also welcome to just drop in and ask for Manuel Minjares who serves as a representative for Supervisor Long.

Bob Crum

Another fantabulous May Festival is in the books! Photos were shot on Saturday. Better weather brought out the whole town. And from kiddies to grannies, hundreds danced to great music in front of city hall.

The event is an excellent opportunity to practice conscious awareness. However, the moment I witnessed it, my subconscious being aware of being consciously aware invoked confusion. So I just stopped thinking about being consciously aware, and instantly instinct took over. The result: 858 photos from which to select 40 or so. About average when encountering a cornucopia of photo ops.

One problem: Phonetographers! They seem to be multiplying logarithmically—19,483 phonetographers in 2017, 195,259 last year, 1,382,690 this year. An epidemic of ginormous proportions!

If only I got a dollar for every kid who approached me begging: “Hey mister, take my photo”! “Can't, your mother told me not to” usually works. If it doesn't, I threaten to seize their cellphone. That always works because a teenager can't live five minutes without texting!

Carnival photo ops are incredibly challenging. Consider a scene of people in partial shade waiting for deep-fried Twinkies and a game booth with bright lights in the frame. If I expose for the bright lights, people in the shadows are underexposed. If I expose for the people, the bright lights are bright blobs. Wait! My Canon 7DMKII gives me exposure metering mode options. Pressing the WB button gives me the following options: “Evaluative metering”, “Partial metering”, “Spot metering” or “Center-weighted average metering.” In the scene described, I selected center-weighted average metering. Bingo! Still, the exposure is seldom perfect, or what I'd like. However, back home I can tweak the exposure with Lightroom. Ah, the wonders of technology, and strawberry margaritas.

Rides all move at various speeds providing exciting options. At a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, the result would be a fine but a static photo. However, if I reduce the shutter speed to perhaps 1/20th of a second, the ride will be blurred which is perfect for illustrating motion. Hold on! A slower shutter speed increases the light wreaking exposure havoc. OK, I'll simply decrease the aperture size accordingly. Y'all remember the exposure triangle of ISO, shutter speed and aperture, right? Ah yes, when I can float ISO, mash buttons and twirl camera dials to create a photo, I'm ecstatic! And happy to be legally allowed to have so much fun!

Carnival's formidable challenges make photoing interesting. Never a dull moment. Given the technology of present-day cameras, photographers can create most any photo their mind envisions. However, even advanced cameras can do only so much in “P” mode. “P” means “program” not “professional.” It should be evident that to execute various photographic options, (here it comes) one has to know how to operate their camera effectively. It takes time and determination to master the camera but quite rewarding. Though painless, I'm becoming convinced that this learning curve deters many from relishing the jubilation of creating photos. Photography is about creativity. Turn cellphone on, frame image, push camera button... what's creative about that? Yes, I know many phonetographers are as fond of photography as I am of pickled pigs feet. But it's my job to keep teasing. Furthermore, my toes tingle every time a phonetographer buys a real camera.

Photo of the week: The carnival midway and a sunstar. I enjoy creating sunstars in photos when appropriate. The sunstar was created in camera, not with an add-on in post-processing.

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A fifteen year old Piru juvenile was arrested after Fillmore detectives tied him to graffiti vandalisms that occurred at the Fillmore High School and at a county park in Piru.

The Fillmore Investigations Bureau concluded a 3 month investigation into the tagger who had been committing vandalisms at the Fillmore High School as well as throughout the town of Piru during the spring of 2019. The markings caused over $1600.00 in property damage to Fillmore High School and county parks of Piru.

Detectives worked in conjunction with the Fillmore School Resource Officer to collect intelligence in order to identify the vandal. Once identified, investigators sought a search warrant for the juvenile’s residence. During the service of the search warrant, investigators uncovered additional evidence linking the suspect to additional graffiti vandalisms.

The juvenile was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard for PC 594(b)(1)/ Graffiti Vandalism.

Prepared by: Deputy Cameron Knox
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Submitted by Coach Cindy Blatt

Six Varsity Girls participated in the CIF-SS Div 4 swimming championships prelims on May 1 in Riverside, CA. For the first time in FHS Swim Team history two relays teams qualified for the prelims. The 200 yd. Medley Relay (Kat Furness, Yazmeen Gonzalez, Erin Berrington and Zoe Avila) swam to a 28th place finish out of 35 teams. Their time of 2:09.59 was three seconds faster than their qualifying time and is a new school record. The 200 yd. Freestyle Relay (Yazmeen Gonzalez, Karen Trujillo, Natalie Couse, Zoe Avila) placed 35th with an excellent time of 2:01.05. The 400 yd. Freestyle Relay was 1st alternate and did not make it into the meet.

Katrionna Furness qualified for finals on Friday, May 3rd. She swam a lifetime best in the 100 yd. Freestyle with a 53.73 placing 4th with a new school record. Kat also swam the 100 yd. Backstroke, placing 5th with a 1:00.78, several tenths faster than her prelim time.

“We are very proud of all the girls”, stated Coach Cindy Blatt. “They swam well in a very competitive Div 4 meet. Kat is a senior and will be missed. She has shown our other swimmers how to compete at a higher level.”

How about a little history of the Fillmore High Alumni Dinner. In the early 1900's the annual dinner meetings were held on the High School Campus, with individual class meetings being held in separate class rooms. The dinners, which usually consisted of pit barbecue, were prepared by various groups, including Albert (Dutch) Bartels '26, and his crew, and Ed Burson and his group. Dinner attendees sat at tables on benches made from citrus picking boxes and 1x12's. The dinners were held on the old tennis courts, which is where the high school cafeteria is located now. After 1951, Dinners were held between the current Gym and the Cafeteria, and on the High school quad, and eventually, at the Memorial Building, where the meals were prepared by The Fillmore Club, headed by K.B. Rogers and Ron Godfrey '62. Eventually, as it grew in numbers, it was moved to the City Park. Dinners returned to the Memorial Building (it's current location); but this time, out on the lawn area to accommodate everyone wishing to attend. You can pay for your reservations online at www.fillmorehighalumni.com (Click on Events), or you can go to Patterson Hardware (open 7 days a week) and pay in person.

A parent spoke at last night’s school board meeting about the issue of fight that has been taking place at Fillmore Middle School.

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

Award Bid for Gymnasium Roofing Restoration at Fillmore High School
The Governing Board awarded the bid as follows:
Project #: 2019-25
Project Description: Gymnasium Roofing Restoration at Fillmore High School
Bid Date: April 24, 2019
Bid Results: Lowest Qualified Bidder: Western States Roofing, Inc.
Bid Amount: $378,000.00

Award Bid for Science Building Window Replacement at Fillmore High School
The Governing Board awarded the bid as follows:
Project #: 2019-026
Project Description: Window Replacement at Fillmore High School Science Building
Bid Date: April 24, 2019
Bid Results: Lowest Qualified Bidder: Bodagger Builders
Bid Amount: $412,425.00

Personnel Recommendations
The Governing Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, retirements, and leaves.

Bob Crum

Last week I was intensively and arduously involved in the inaugural Art and Photography Exhibition. Sponsored by Fillmore's Arts Commission, the exciting art show was presented in city hall's council chamber. Fifteen artists and four photographers presented their artwork. Most visitors were surprised and delighted to see a wide variety of art and photos.

The artist reception was a smashing success. So many from the community attended, enjoying the opportunity to meet the artists and photographers and discuss their artwork, if so inclined. Some art was purchased.

The majority of visitors, with the People's Choice ballots in hand, took voting for their 1st, 2nd and 3rd favorite works of art and photographs seriously, reviewing the art two or three times before voting. Over 180 visitors cast People's Choice ballots.

As you'll note in another space or the website, my photo of the Fillmore & Western steam engine nighttime photo won People's Choice first place. My photo of the dazzling poppies that I featured here as the photo of the week a month ago won second place. Winning two awards out of three is a great honor. Furthermore, a collector purchased the print of my train photo.

Photography, i.e., fine art photography, was woefully underrepresented. Only four photographers participated. So depressing. I'd like to see a much larger contingency of photographers exhibiting in next year's show. I have to believe that there are many photographers in Fillmore. To be included in next year’s show, send me an email today!

At the art show, I learned that many would-be photographers simply haven't learned about photography. I'm not surprised. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my subconscious mind, a place deep in my brain, I sensed that I knew the reason the masses abandoned photography in exchange for phonetography, but I couldn't articulate my synopsis till now. Most phonetographers are lazy! While a would-be musician, or would-be golfer, knows that lessons and practice manifest a piano player or golfer, the majority of phonetographers avoid learning photography. After all, lessons and practice steal Facebook time. So much easier to whip out the cellphone, snap a photo and slap it up on Facebook or Instagram. But that's a snapshot, not a photo! Even while acknowledging photography's advantages, phonetographers effectuate a simile of Newton's First Law: Things not bothered to learn remain unlearned. The universal truth: Photography knowledge cannot be learned by osmosis!

Many would-be photographers I talked with at the art show universally agreed that they would participate in a photography group (club) for education & fun. However, as previously stated, I don't have a projector necessary for critiquing photos. Does anyone know anyone from whom I can borrow a projector one evening a month? Or where I might obtain a projector for a modest cost? Or just send me a check for $650. Just a thought!

One refrain I hear repeatedly is how do I find so much variety to photograph? Seriously? Remember my commentary about conscious awareness? It's as simple of being aware and learning to see as a photographer. Even phonetographers can learn this, I think.

One day I saw a unique and interesting accumulation of clouds over the backcountry north of Fillmore. Camera in hand, I drove up Goodenough Road looking for the best location to shoot from without overhead power lines in the frame. It took considerable moving around to find the best place from where to shoot that showed the avocado grove in the foreground, the mountains, and clouds. Location determines perspective for best composition. Happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Katrionna Furness was two time first-team All Citrus Coast League champion. Photos courtesy Coach Cindy Blatt.
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Sam Guzman swimming the 100 yd. butterfly.
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Fillmore High teammates cheering for their swimmers at Thursday’s All Citrus Coast League championships.
Enlarge Photo

Submitted by Cindy Blatt

Fillmore High School swim team participated in the prelims and finals of the Citrus Coast League Swimming Championship on April 23 & 25, hosted by Malibu High School. The very competitive new league includes Fillmore, Malibu, Santa Paula High School, Carpinteria High School, Hueneme High School and Nordhoff High School.

FHS Jr. Varsity Girls placed third in a five team field. Kodi Sieben won the 100 yd. Individual Medley and placed second in the 50 yd. breaststroke. Olivia Palazuelos, Stephanie Garcia, Hannah Fairall, Angie Mynatt, Isabela Regalado, Ximena Orozco all had strong individual performances. The 200 yd. Medley Relay and the 400 yd. Freestyle Relay placed second. Additionally Anahi Hernandez, Ramona Delgarn and Emma Myers helped to score points on the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay.

Varsity Boys placed 5th in a six team field. Ricky Cadena, Eddie Rodriguez, Ethan Gray, Sam Guzman, James Chandler, Jesus Ceballos and George Mooradian all placed in individual events and helped score team points on relays.

Varsity Girls placed 5th in a six team field. Katrionna Furness was a two-time Citrus Coast champion in the 50 yd. freestyle and the 100 yd. backstroke. Freshman Yazmeen Gonzales, Karen Trujillo, Zoe Avila, Erin Berrington, Isabella Palazuelos, Michelle Higuera, Abby Sanchez all placed in individual events and helped score team points on relays. Other relay swimmers include Melia Galindo, Faith DeRuchie, and Natalie Couse.

“We had a handful of really great swims”, stated Coach Cindy Blatt, “but most of our swimmers swam very flat swims, meaning they did not make time drops in their races. This was not a surprise to Coach Mike and me because our swimmers have been swimming in a cold pool (72-74 degrees) since the middle of March. Our swimmers were not able to put in the proper hard work and spend time in the pool that was needed due to the cold pool. We are very proud of all our swimmers for swimming hard and doing their best!”

Katrionna Furness has qualified in the 100 yd. freestyle and the 100 yd. backstroke at the CIF Div4 Swimming Championships in Riverside. Prelims are on Wednesday May 1st , Finals are Friday, May 3rd. FHS Varsity Girls have also qualified in the 200 yd. Medley Relay, the 200 yd. Freestyle Relay and they are first alternate in the 400 yd. Freestyle Relay. Relay team members are: Kat Furness, Yazmeen Gonzalez, Karen Trujillo, Zoe Avila, Erin Berrington and Natalie Couse.

To all of you fight fans out there, I hope you had the chance to see the Combate Americas fights on Univision or live at The Galen Center at U.S.C. If you missed it, you missed a true war between Adrian Guzman, now 4-1, and Fillmore’s own Jose “Froggy” Estrada, now with a record of 6-2.

The fight was made up of many battles. Both fighters came out slugging. Froggy struck first in the first round with a right hand that sent Guzman down on his backside. Guzman got up quickly and tagged Froggy with a right/left combo that knocked Froggy down. “Man he rocked me,” said Froggy. “I got up and took a deep breath and said to myself, don’t panic. I felt okay after that.”

After many more punches thrown by both fighters, in this reporter’s mind, Froggy getting the best of them, I saw a head butt that caused a big cut on the Frog Man. It did not seem to bleed much and Froggy did not seem to give it any thought. Then Guzman got Froggy in a guillotine hold (choke hold), but with some great moves Froggy got out of it. Before the five minute round was over both fighters knew they were in a real war.

Now the start of the second round, Froggy was cut above the right eye, and Guzman was bleeding from the mouth. The two fighters picked it up where they left off. The crowd of about 3,000 people were into the fight. The shouts of “FROGGY, FROGGY, FROGGY!” filling the arena, the fighters were slugging it out again. Both landing hard clean shots.

All at once Guzman got Froggy in the same choke hold he had earlier in the fight. It was on tight. I was worried for our man from Fillmore. But then, to the amazement of the crowd, Froggy picked up Guzman while in the choke hold and slammed him to the mat. The crowd went crazy, so did I! Then with his skill, Froggy put a rear-naked choke hold on Guzman. Guzman showed heart and worked his way out of the hold, but then Froggy slapped Guzman with another rear-naked choke hold. With blood spitting from his mouth Guzman had no choice but to tap out. This was a true war!

Froggy being the showman that he is, jumped on top of the cage, with his arms raised high, he showed his excitement to the crowd as they chanted his name over and over again. After Froggy got down, the ring announcer said the greatest words this reporter could hear, “THE WINNER FROM FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA, JOSE ‘’FROGGY” ESTRADA!”

After some T.V. interviews I met up with Froggy backstage. He was getting about five stitches above his eye. I asked Froggy how do you feel? “Great Coach Woods! That was a great fight.” Froggy went on to say,”He rocked me a little, but I landed more shots on him.” Let me tell you folks, this young man has great skills. He can fight! Froggy has the crowd on his side, with great skills, guts, and personality. His smile can light up an arena. He is a joy to watch. “I love doing this!” Froggy said. “This is what the Frog does!”

I would like to thank the people at Combate Americas for the V.I.P. treatment they show not only Froggy and his team, but also to me. Even though I am just a small time, sometime reporter, they treated me with respect. Also there were many great fights on this card. West Coast Jiu-Jitsu scored two wins when “Malicious” Michael Reyes 6-4 took out Oscar “Jacarei” Suarez now 4-3 in the second round on a T.K.O. Combata Americas has some great hungry, and up and coming fighters. They entertain and come out to fight.

What is next for Froggy? “Take a few days off, have some good food at Grandmas house, then back to work getting ready for the next fight,” said Froggy. “When the next fight comes around I will be ready for whoever they put up against me. I will always be ready!”

Congratulations to Froggy, Michael Reyes, and the West Coast Jiu-Jitsu team. And I am sure Froggy would want me to say God Bless Mose Aieti, and rest in peace, brother.

Battles make wars. The battles Froggy and Guzman fought went back and forth for the eight minutes they fought. But what matters most in the fight game is who won the most battles, and at the end, who wins the war. In this fight Froggy won most of the battles, and he for sure won the war.

Isaias Arana, 24, San Fernando.

A suspect has been arrested after kidnapping and threatening to kill a woman.

On the evening of April 24th, at approximately 7:52 pm, patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 100 Block of South Hopper Canyon Road, in the unincorporated area east of Fillmore. Upon arrival, deputies learned that Isaias Arana had come to the residence in an attempt to contact a female victim in violation of a restraining order. After being denied entry into the home, Arana used a pistol to shoot several bullets through the front door and a window while the victims were inside.

As Arana entered the residence through a broken window, one of the adult victims was able to flee the residence with a child through a back door. Once inside, Arana threatened to kill the other two female victims and forced them into another room at gunpoint. Soon after, one of those victims was able to successfully flee the residence.

When deputies arrived, the reporting parties believed that Arana and the final victim may still be inside the residence. Therefore, the Sheriff’s SWAT Team was activated and responded to the location believing Arana was armed and barricaded inside the residence with the final victim.

Further investigation determined that Arana had forced the victim out of the residence at gunpoint prior to the deputies’ arrival. Arana then drove the victim to the San Fernando Valley where he picked up a male acquaintance. After driving to the Pacoima area, the male acquaintance engaged in a physical altercation with Arana in an attempt to disarm him. The female victim used this opportunity to flee. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the location reference the physical disturbance and contacted the two men. Arana was subsequently arrested and the firearm was recovered.

Arana was transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked for 664/187(a) PC - Attempted Murder, 207 PC - Kidnapping, 422 PC - Criminal Threats and 273.6 PC - Violation of a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Arana is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on April 29, 2019. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.00. Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Frances Saleh at (805) 384-4729, or by email at frances.saleh@ventura.org.

Prepared by: Detective Frances Saleh
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller