Mark Jessop-Ellis
VENTURA — As attractive a beachtown tourist destination as it may be, the city of Ventura is apparently on its way to becoming a hotbed of production and marketing of methamphetamine, one of society’s most addictive and dangerous controlled substances.
Evidence of this comes in the recent report released to the media by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Hendren in which he details the arrests of five individuals suspected of active involvement in the sale methamphetamine. Pursuant to “information received” by law enforcement, VCSD detectives “completed several purchases of methamphetamine” from 43-year-old Ventura resident Mark Jessop-Ellis, which led to a warrant search of his residence on October 11th.
During that search, detectives discovered a cache of methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and substantial evidence of an active sales operation that included “ingestion devices and related discarded packaging items located around the residence.” Also found on the premises were John Jessop-Ellis, 57, Paul Wallet, 47, Michael Smith, 52, and Tasha Becchio, 43, all residents of the City of Ventura, and all of whom were determined to be under the influence of controlled substances at the time of their contact with the VCSD detectives.
All suspects were transported to Ventura County Jail, where Mark Jessop-Ellis was booked on charges of being in possession of controlled substances for sale, while his four compatriots were booked on a charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Photos: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
