NEWS RELEASE
INCIDENT: |
Search Warrant, Firearms And Narcotics Seized |
DATE/TIME: |
03/12/2020/5:30 PM |
LOCATION: |
2200 Block Of Mono Street, Oxnard |
VICTIM(S): |
State Of California |
SUSPECT(S): |
Rene Cervantes, 38-Year-Old Oxnard Resident James Campos, 45-Year-Old Oxnard Resident Dylan McKinley, 29-Year-Old Oxnard Resident Valerie Peralta, 33-Year-Old Oxnard Resident |
PREPARED BY: |
Mike Johnson, Sergeant (805) 486-6211 |
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: |
Michael Velasquez, Detective (805) 385-8287 |
DETAILS:
On 03/12/2020, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Street Team concluded a two-week long joint investigation regarding narcotics sales and illegal firearms possession in the City of Oxnard.
At approximately 5:30 P.M., members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail conducted an enforcement stop in the 400 block of West Esplanade Drive in the City of Oxnard. The driver of the vehicle, Rene Cervantes, who was the subject of the investigation, was detained. During a search of his vehicle, a loaded, semi-automatic handgun was located under his seat. Cervantes, who was out on bail on an unrelated narcotics sales case at the time of the stop, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
A subsequent search warrant was served at Cervantes’ residence in the 2200 block of Mono Street in the City of Oxnard. During the service of the search warrant, investigators contacted Valerie Peralta, who attempted to flee on foot but was ultimately detained. In addition, James Campos and Dylan McKinley were both contacted at the residence. Peralta was later arrested for resisting arrest, Campos was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and being under the influence of a controlled substance, and McKinley was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. During the search of the residence, investigators located an additional loaded handgun, ammunition, heroin packaged for sale, and paraphernalia consistent with the sale of narcotics. Cervantes was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. He was later booked into the Ventura County Jail.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes 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 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 also 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.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/13/2020, 4:40 P.M.