Ventura County Sheriff Department – Incident Press Release
A Santa Paula gang member was recently convicted of firearms charges that will send him to prison for six years.
On 11-19-18, detectives from the Fillmore Police Department’s Investigative Unit received information about a female subject who had a warrant for her arrest. She was allegedly staying at a residence in the 700 block of Harvard Blvd in the city of Santa Paula. Acting on the information, investigators responded to the location and served the warrant. During the service of the warrant, they encountered the female and her boyfriend, 36 year old Santa Paula resident, Emilio Montiel. Montiel was uncooperative and refused to follow deputies’ directives. Montiel initially provided a false name to detectives because he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Investigators conducted a search of the location per the probation terms for the female and Montiel. During the search, detectives found a loaded handgun in a common area. In addition, detectives determined both were under the influence of drugs and they were arrested for related charges.
A follow-up investigation was conducted by investigators and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Science Laboratory. A forensic analysis was completed on the handgun and scientists conclusively located Montiel’s DNA on the handgun. In addition, detectives authored a search warrant for his cellular phone and discovered photographs showing he was in possession of a second handgun. The District Attorney’s Office elected to file additional charges on Montiel being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Montiel recently had a jury trial within the Ventura County Superior Court system. He was found guilty of two counts of 29800 (a)(1) PC- possession of a firearm with prior conviction, 148 (a)(1)- PC- obstructing a peace officer, 148.9 (a) PC- providing false information to a peace officer.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) plays an integral part in solving crime. They are comprised of 31 scientists and 8 support staff who analyze thousands of cases per year. This case was a fine example how detectives and scientists’ thorough investigative techniques worked in conjunction to obtain a conviction of a subject who is a threat to public safety.
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