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Officers from the Santa Paula Police Department carefully approach a house in the 300 block of N. 12th Street, across from Barbara Webster School. The SPPD suspected drugs were being sold from the house and after gaining entry they arrested 7 auduts and one minor for various drug charges.
Found at the scene were two (above) Santa Murerte statues that the SPPD said are “Displayed mainly by Mexican nationals and one of the underground saints of drug traffickers.”
Santa Paula Police Department Sgt. Ken Clark handcuffs one of the suspects that was in the house
Two other suspects that were found in the house wait on the porch while SPPD officers searched the house.
SPPD Officers cover doors and windows of the house while others forced their way into the house in the 300 Block of N. 12th Street |
Eight arrested for alleged drug violations across from school
February 12, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Seven adults and one juvenile were taken into custody Friday for various charges related to methamphetamine and drug activity that was occurring across the street from an area elementary school.
According to Santa Paula Police Detective Allen Macias the investigation was prompted by tips to police that there was heavy foot traffic - often an indication of drug use and dealing - at the residence, located at 313 N. 12th St.
The investigation took about a month and the SPPD obtained a search that was served at the residence across the street from Barbara Webster Elementary School at about 7 a.m. February 7.
Macias said about 15 members of the SPPD including the Gangs and Narcotics Unit were on scene when the warrant was served and the residence searched.
Those inside the residence and a converted outbuilding were arrested without incident: “Everybody was cooperative,” Macias noted.
Arrested were Michael Chavez, 51, for suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotic paraphernalia; Carlos Arguata, 34, and Jesse Gomez, 36, were both arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and being at a residence where narcotics are being used or sold.
Nick Garcia, 38, was arrested for suspicion of being at a residence where narcotics are being used or sold and for a parole violation; Daniel Donaldson, 46, was charged with suspicion of being under the influence of a narcotic and being a person at a residence where a drug is being used or sold; Virginia Aguirre, 38, was charged for suspicion of child endangerment, being under the influence, being at a residence where drugs were used or sold and having possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Ruben Villa, 25, was charged with suspicion of possession for sales of methamphetamine, for an outstanding felony warrant and for being at a residence where drugs were used or sold.
Macias said an unidentified 15-year-old male juvenile was arrested for suspicion of being in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Police said Macias found approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine, “some packaged for sales... “
Also found were two Santa Murerte statues Macias said are “Displayed mainly by Mexican nationals and one of the underground saints of drug traffickers.”
The person “responsible for the residence is Michael Chavez,” and Macias said the others present, “were crashing there... “
“There were drug dealers and drug addicts in the house and in the converted garage,” said Police Chief Steve McLean, “and they were dealing right across the street from an elementary school.
“Even while we were waiting to go in people were driving up to buy dope, they were in full business there.”
McLean said two of the suspects arrested were “Realignment,” meaning they had been released early from jail due to the Supreme Court decision that started the shift of state prisoners into county custody or onto the streets before their sentences were completed.
“They all have criminal histories and several have extensive records,” related to narcotics McLean said of those taken into custody.
