Photo: Stock Image
Image of firearm confiscated during arrest | Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
In a case exemplifying the growing dangers associated with the proliferation of assault weapons on the streets of America, the June 27 th arrest of 35-year-old Thousand Oaks resident Ryan Gerard underscores the issues of the illicit trade and possession of such dangerous firearms.
According to Ventura County Sherrif’s Department spokesman Sgt. Jonathan James, an investigation was initiated earlier this month by the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) targeting Gerrard for his “alleged involvement in the illegal possession of firearms and narcotics.” Pursuant to their investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant targeting Gerrard's place of residence.
To effectively execute the search warrant, DEU detectives collaborated with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP) detectives. On June 27th, the warrant was served and executed, leading to seizure of a significant quantity of live ammunition, body armor, two handguns, an assault weapon, controlled substances, and items associated with the distribution of narcotics.
Gerard was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County East Valley Jail, where he was booked on multiple firearms violations including possession of an assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance while armed, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in public, manufacturing or possessing a firearm without a serial number, possession of a controlled substance, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Gerrard remains in custody, with his bail set at a total of $50,000.
