“We were looking for narcotics and evidence of counterfeiting,” including California driver’s licenses and checks. Investigators found it all: approximately six grams of crystal methamphetamine, “evidence of packaging” of same for sales, and narcotics paraphernalia.Also seized were one tower and two laptop computers, printers, including photo printers and laminating equipment “utilized for making false identifications,” false IDs, and phony checks. Also found were three weapons - two handguns and a sawed off rifle. Other “miscellaneous evidence that collaborates with the making of fraudulent documents” was also seized, noted Sgt. Cordero.Arrested were Antonio “Tony” Nava, 56 of Santa Paula, on charges of conspiracy and possession of narcotics; Sharon Ted Wilson, 51 of Santa Paula, for possession of narcotics and being under the influence of narcotics; and Hector Luna, 42 of Santa Paula, for possession of narcotics and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Nava is facing the conspiracy charge related to the two “currently in custody for passing bad checks,” said Sgt. Cordero. The investigation is continuing.
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Pictured above right is evidence seized Thursday morning. Found were crystal methamphetamine, scale, pipe, money, computer for making illegal driver's licenses, printer, credit cards, and lots of paper work. Pictured left, seized was a handgun and a sawed off rifle. Arrested were Antonio “Tony” Nava, 56 of Santa Paula, on charges of conspiracy and possession of narcotics; Sharon Ted Wilson, 51 of Santa Paula, for possession of narcotics and being under the influence of narcotics; and Hector Luna, 42 of Santa Paula, for possession of narcotics and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Photos by Don Johnson |
Santa Paula Police make large bust
March 23, 2007
Narcotics, fake IDs, phony checks lead to Whipple Road arrests
Santa Paula Police Department
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThree Santa Paulans were arrested after a search warrant executed just outside city limits garnered narcotics and equipment used to counterfeit checks and identifications, according to a Santa Paula Police Department spokesman.Sgt. Ismael Cordero said that the search warrant was served at about 6 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, “on a residence on Whipple Road,” located just outside city limits between Hallock Road and Santa Paula Creek. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team, Ventura Police K-9, U.S. Secret Service and California State University Channel Islands K-9 also took part in the raid.Sgt. Cordero said that the investigation had started about two weeks ago, after “several forged checks were cashed in Santa Paula that led us to several suspects” who were arrested and remain jailed. The initial arrest “led us back to this location where the checks were supposedly being manufactured.”Since the action was considered a High Risk Search Warrant in county jurisdiction, the VCSD SWAT assisted. “They had priority... once they secured the premises they turned the scene over to us” to execute the search warrant, noted Sgt. Cordero.
