Photo: confiscated fireworks
July 2, 2020 – Ventura County, Ca.
With Southern California’s traditional Fourth of July public fireworks shows on widespread
shutdown pursuant to Governor Gavin Newsome’s recent COVID-19 pandemic edicts, many
individuals may be tempted to create their own backyard pyrotechnic fun.
While such activities—even with the use of so-called “safe and sane” fireworks–on the part of
citizens remains illegal in most jurisdictions, there are always those who test the limits of the
law.
One such individual appears to be 28-year-old Camarillo resident Antonio Acevedo. Acevedo,
currently on active felony probation for vehicle theft, was subject to what Ventura County
Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Hollowell described as “unconditional search terms”
when he was contacted by detectives on the afternoon of July 1st .
Acevedo was contacted in the front yard of his residence and the subsequent search of the house lead to the discovery of “approximately 50 pounds of various illegal fireworks” which were determined to be a threat to the safety of everyone living in the home and to others in the neighborhood.
The search also revealed Acevedo to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and to be under
the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested at the scene and issued multiple
misdemeanor citation for possession of drug paraphernalia, being under the influence, and
misdemeanor possession of illegal fireworks.
