Central Coast roundup
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Ventura residents can now voluntarily register at-risk dependents with the Ventura Police Department, providing dispatchers and officers with critical information on individuals with special needs, diagnoses, or circumstances before an emergency situation.
The voluntary registration program is for at-risk individuals and requires personal information like name, date of birth, physical attributes, known disabilities or illnesses, a current photo, and emergency contact information.
“Voluntary information provided to our team before a dire situation can expedite the search for a wandering individual by reducing the amount of information collection needed after an initial call for service,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “The information also further assists officers by preparing them to appropriately contact and address that individual once they’ve been located. It’s a win-win.”
At-risk dependents and families that may find this program helpful are those with a loved one with Autism, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Down Syndrome, mental illness, blind or low vision, and developmental or intellectual disabilities.
“We are grateful to Ventura PD for their ongoing partnership and dedication to keeping our at-risk residents safe, including those with Autism,” said Ashley Pope, President of the Autism Society Ventura County.
“The success of this program largely hinges on active participation and registration of eligible individuals, as emergencies can strike unexpectedly. Register now for this vital program, as it has the potential to inspire safer, more inclusive approaches across first responder sectors.”
All information submitted will be secured on an internal server. Updated personal information, changes to physical appearance, and diagnosis shifts should prompt family members to re-submit and update dependent information.
MASSAGE PARLORS WERE BROTHELS
During March of this year, detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) began investigating VIP Therapy Massage, located in the 100 block of W. Fourth Street, in Oxnard, suspecting it to be an illicit massage business (IMB).
During the investigation detectives learned there was commercial sex occurring throughout the day at this location.
California law states an individual is in violation of Penal Code Human Trafficking, when a person deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to effect or maintain a violation of Pimping, Pandering and other subsections.
Within this subsection, the suspect will obtain forced labor or services by using force, fraud, or coercion on their victims.
Detectives learned there were elements of coercion on behalf of the owner of VIP Therapy Massage, Silvia Diaz, and the manager, Claudia Gonzalez, on at least two victims working at the location.
As a result of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause to arrest Silvia Diaz for a violation for Human Trafficking, Pimping, Pandering, and Money Laundering; and probable cause to arrest Claudia Gonzalez for a violation of Human Trafficking, Pimping, and Pandering.
Detectives also investigated Blue Moon Spa, an additional suspected IMB, located in the 700 block of S. A Street, Oxnard, California.
Detectives discovered there was commercial sex occurring throughout the day at this location as well.
Detectives developed probable cause to arrest the owner of Blue Moon Spa, Irma Mendoza, for Pimping, Pandering, and Money Laundering.
On August 4, detectives from the VCSO with the assistance of the FBI, conducted a multi-location search warrant at VIP Therapy Massage, Blue Moon Spa, and Silvia Diaz’ and Irma Mendoza’s residences.
According to the VCSO, Diaz, Gonzalez, and Mendoza were arrested for the above listed charges and booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail with a bail of $900,000.
Victim advocates were on scene and spoke with additional potential victims.
Detectives seized over $60,000 and a Corvette, they believe all these proceeds were a result of their nefarious activities of operating commercial sex brothels.
FIRE BANS IN LOS PADRES
Santa Barbara Fire Department and Los Padres National Forest officials wanted to remind visitors that an open fire ban remains in effect for the Santa Barbara front country while trail closures have been extended for the Old Romero Road, Romero Canyon Trail, and San Ysidro Trail, as storm damage repairs continue.
Los Padres raised fire restrictions across the Forest effective August 1 which prohibits campfires outside of developed recreation sites.
The Fire authorities stated in recent weeks, there have been repeated signs of illegal campfire activity along front country roads and trails.
“Visitors possessing a valid California Campfire Permit are permitted to use portable lanterns or stoves that run on propane, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, however campfires are strictly prohibited along the front country,” the SBFD officials said.
Forest Order prohibits campfires and cooking fires on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara front country from Gaviota to the Ventura County line, including but not limited to Painted Cave Road, Gibraltar Road, Stagecoach Road, the paved and unpaved sections of West Camino Cielo and East Camino Cielo, Divide Peak OHV Road, the Hot Springs above the community of Montecito, and all user trails within the identified fire use restriction area.
The Forest Order will remain in effect through Feb. 24, 2024. Violators of the Forest Order face potential fines and/or jail time.
Over the past 15 years, eight large wildfires have directly impacted the front country communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria. In coordination with local fire agencies, we encourage visitors to recreate safely and responsibly and to immediately call 911 to report any potential fire activity.
For more information about the Santa Barbara front country fire ban and extended closure of the Old Romero Road, Romero Canyon Trail and the San Ysidro Trail, please visit the Los Padres National Forest Website atwww.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.
WATER COMMISIONER ARRESTED
The Ventura County District Attorney Office announced last week that charges were filed against Daniel Conklin Naumann of Camarillo, for multiple felony counts of grand theft and theft of utility services.
“Naumann owns and operates Naumann Family Farms in Oxnard, he is also a publicly elected board member of the United Water Conservation District (United),” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
The DA also stated that a portion of the charged offenses, Naumann was also an alternate board member of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (Fox Canyon).
United and Fox Canyon manage and preserve groundwater resources for agricultural uses in Ventura County, and both entities establish water allocations and charge agricultural users fees to pump groundwater.
Investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) discovered diversion bypasses were installed on two commercial water pumps that irrigated Naumann’s crops.
According to the investigation, bypasses diverted pumped water to irrigation lines before the water reached flow meters that measured water use for billing purposes.
Between 2019 and 2021, Naumann is alleged to have pumped $29,301 of groundwater without paying the required fees to Fox Canyon.
“California’s groundwater has long been in crisis because of over pumping and drought. Unlawfully avoiding the water fees and allocations necessary to preserve water only adds to this ongoing crisis. We will hold anyone who threatens our natural resources accountable, regardless of their position,” said Nasarenko.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Anthony Wold, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit, is prosecuting the case.
Naumann is scheduled for arraignment on September 12, at 9:00 a.m. at the Ventura County Superior Court.
