By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, on felony charges unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance, authorities confirmed this week.
Ashlee Buzzard, 40, was taken into custody last Friday, on suspicion of false imprisonment stemming from a recent incident in which she allegedly prevented another individual from leaving a location against their will.
While detectives say the charge is not connected to the ongoing missing persons investigation, they declined to release additional details in order to preserve the integrity of their broader investigation.
Buzzard was booked at the Northern Branch Jail with bail set at $100,000.
The Sheriff’s Office stated that her booking photo does not meet the criteria for public release and will not be distributed.
“This arrest is part of a separate investigation. Our primary focus remains locating Melodee and ensuring her well-being,” said a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Melodee Buzzard was first reported missing earlier this year, prompting an intensive search effort that has included ground teams, aerial support, and community outreach.
While few details have been publicly disclosed about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, officials say the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Law enforcement has continued to emphasize that Melodee’s case remains a top priority, and the arrest of her mother does not indicate a shift in the status of the missing child investigation.
VTA COUNTY GETS IT AWARD
The County of Ventura has been awarded the 2025 Information Technology Excellence Award by the Info-Tech Research Group, a national organization that recognizes innovation and best practices in public- and private-sector IT operations.
The award honors the County’s measurable advancements in IT governance, operations and service delivery.
It is based on results from Info-Tech’s IT Management and Governance Diagnostic, a performance assessment that evaluates over 50 key IT functions.
To qualify, organizations must show quantifiable improvements across core technology areas and demonstrate how IT efforts align with broader institutional goals.
Ventura County was selected after showing strong year-over-year progress in areas including strategic planning, digital service tools, and workforce development.
“I want to thank Info-Tech for recognizing the work of our IT organization here at the County,” said Chief Information Officer Terry Theobald.
“In 2023, our IT Services shifted focus toward emerging technologies. Since then, we’ve implemented a forward-thinking governance model, adopted AI-driven training programs for our staff, and built a strategic plan rooted in innovation, leadership and value delivery.”
The County’s Information Technology Services Department has made significant investments in recent years to modernize internal systems, improve cybersecurity, and provide more accessible and efficient tools for departments and the public.
Officials say those changes have helped streamline service delivery across multiple agencies and better prepare the County for future needs.
“This award reflects not just technical upgrades, but a broader commitment to smarter, more responsive government,” Theobald said.
The Info-Tech Research Group, based in Canada, is one of the largest information technology research and advisory firms in North America.
Its awards program recognizes public institutions that are using technology to improve operations and deliver measurable value to the communities they serve.
More information about Ventura County’s programs and services is available at www.venturacounty.gov.
NEW CIVIL MEDIATION PROGRAM
The Ventura County Superior Court has launched a new Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program aimed at expediting the resolution of civil lawsuits involving $50,000 or less per plaintiff.
Starting Nov. 10, 2025, the court may order eligible civil cases into mediation at its discretion. In addition, parties involved in larger disputes may voluntarily choose to enter the program with the court’s approval.
As part of the program, litigants will be able to select a mediator from a court-approved panel of experienced professionals. Each case will receive up to three hours of mediation services free of charge.
The new initiative is designed to reduce court congestion, encourage early resolution of disputes, and offer parties a cost-effective alternative to litigation.
Further details, application materials for mediators, and access to required forms are available on the court’s official website at ventura.courts.ca.gov/CMP.html.
ABUSER FACES LIFE SENTENCE
A Fillmore man has been convicted of multiple felony counts of sexually abusing two children over several years, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Jose Zavala, 40, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of lewd acts upon a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse.
The jury also found true several aggravating factors, including that Zavala held a position of trust and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.
The abuse occurred between 2019 and 2022 and involved two victims, one of whom was as young as 6 years old when the abuse began.
The second victim was 10, according to prosecutors, the assaults happened repeatedly over the course of several years.
Zavala reportedly had access to the children through a family relationship.
Both victims came forward in 2023, disclosing the abuse to mandated reporters who then contacted law enforcement, leading to an investigation and charges.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Kern of the office’s Sexual Assault Unit led the prosecution.
“The two young victims in this case showed exceptional courage by testifying in open court and confronting the person who harmed them,” Kern said.
“Their strength made this verdict possible and reinforces that Ventura County will not tolerate crimes of this nature.”
Zavala is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16 in Department 26 of Ventura County Superior Court. He faces a maximum sentence of 100 years to life in state prison.
VTA COUNTY TO CONDUCT MANUAL BALLOT AUDIT
The Ventura County Elections Division has launched its One Percent Manual Tally audit, a critical post-election process required under California law to ensure the accuracy and integrity of vote counting systems.
Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced that the audit begun with a public random selection of ballot batches this Monday at 10 a.m. at the County’s Government Center.
The audit is part of the Official Canvass period that follows every election in California.
Required by California Elections Code §15360, the One Percent Manual Tally compares a hand count of selected ballots to the results recorded by the electronic vote tabulation system.
The process ensures that the vote-counting equipment functioned correctly and that the election results are accurate.
“This tally is a key safeguard in every election,” Ascencion said. “Even though this election had only one contest with two options, the process still demands hours of detailed, focused work to ensure 100% accuracy.”
Using a random number generator as outlined in the California Code of Regulations, the Elections Division will select 1% of all vote-by-mail and in-person ballot batches, treating each group separately to ensure thorough oversight. The selection and tally will be conducted in full view of the public, and observers are welcome.
In-person observation opportunities will be available at the Ventura County Government Center, located at 800 S. Victoria Ave., Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, Ventura.
“The public’s trust in our democratic process depends on transparent and verifiable systems,” Ascencion added. “That’s what this audit is designed to uphold.”
PART OF A LARGER INTEGRITY FRAMEWORK
The One Percent Manual Tally complements the Pre-Election Logic and Accuracy Testing also required by state law.
That testing occurs before each election to ensure all ballot scanning and tabulation equipment operates properly and is programmed correctly.
Together, these pre- and post-election procedures provide multiple layers of verification that California elections are secure, accurate, and trustworthy.
“This is about accountability,” said Ascencion. “We want voters to know that their ballots are counted exactly as they were cast — and these mandated audits help prove it.”
For more details or to view the official notice of the manual tally audit, visit Vote.VenturaCounty.gov.
