Photo: Courtesy VCSD Gang Unit
Written By: Robert l. McCullough
September 20, 2022 – Ventura County, Ca. – Recent law enforcement activity in Ventura County points to a thriving and ongoing entrepreneurial effort among its citizens focused on the illegal manufacture and distribution of firearms.
Evidence of that came once again at the behest of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit on the evening of September 15 th . According to VCSD spokesman Sr. Deputy Corey Nicholas, it was at approximately 5:45 p.m. on that date when Gang Unit detectives inexplicably took it upon themselves to enforce the Motor Vehicle Code by conducting “a traffic stop” for an alleged traffic violation.
As luck would have it, the driver of the car the detectives pulled over was 31-year-old Ventura resident Steven Merrill, who just happened to be on probation pursuant to a prior conviction for a firearms violation. When they made contact with Merrill, his poor driving was no longer an issue, as the detectives instead detained him on the conditions of his probation.
The cops apparently suspected Merrill of some sort of nefarious activity, as they then transported him to his residence, where they discovered “four polymer pistol receivers” which he had apparently made with his personal 3-D printer. They also found “a pistol magazine, switchblade knives, and a polymer rifle magazine,” all of which are items prohibited under the terms of his probation.
Merrill was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on multiple weapons violations, including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
