Photo: Adam Neary
Ventura – When an individual suspected of the illegal possession of a firearm is contacted by members of law enforcement pursuant to that suspicion, local law enforcement agencies don’t tread lightly.
Evidence of that came on the morning of September 18th when no fewer than five separate units attached to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant on the downtown Ventura residence of 42-year-old Adam Neary. Knocking on his door were members of the VCSD Bomb Squad, VCSD Headquarters Patrol, Ventura County Main Jail’s Classification Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail, and the VCSD Gang Unit.
Neary cache
This display of resources was the product of what VCSD spokesman Detective Tyler Ebell described as “a two month investigation” into Neary’s alleged possession of an “illegal firearm.” Once the assorted deputies knocked on Neary’s door that morning, showed him their active search warrants for the premises and for Neary’s person, they gained access to the premises.
Once inside, deputies discovered far more than a mere “illegal firearm.” Along with several illegal firearms—including an AK-47 assault rifle, “multiple sawed-off short barrel shotguns and an illegal firearm silencer and a large quantity of ammunition”—the cops also found tools, supplies, and paraphernalia “associated with explosive device manufacturing,” a clear indication that Neary was in the business of creating bombs.
Neary was immediately taken into custody while the search of his residence continued and led to the discovery of “a large quantity of methamphetamine” and assorted opioid medications. Neary was transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on assorted firearms and narcotics violations, with his bail set at $500,000.
Photos: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
