NEWS RELEASE
DATE: October 8, 8:20 P.M.
SUBJECT: Gang Members Arrested For Firearms and Narcotics Possession
LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Road at Rice Avenue
CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant
(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org
On October 8, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop of a gold Toyota Camry at Pleasant Valley Road and Rice Avenue for a traffic violation. Officers contacted Cesar Guerrero (22yrs) and Christian Vargas (18yrs) in the vehicle. Guerrero and Vargas are known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard. Guerrero is on Post Release Supervision for prior firearms possession and is a prohibited person from possession of firearms and ammunition. Vargas is currently on probation for assault with a deadly weapon and is a prohibited person from possession of firearms and ammunition.
Officers conducted a search, exercising Guerrero’s and Vargas’ search terms, and located a loaded .45 caliber Llama Minima semi-automatic handgun, a loaded 9-millimeter Ruger semi-automatic handgun and multiple calibers of additional ammunition. Guerrero was also found in possession of approximately a quarter ounce of methamphetamine. Guerrero and Vargas were arrested for firearms and narcotics related charges and booked into the Ventura County Jail.
Guerrero is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – that was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.