By F. Scott Faulkner
Aug. 2, 2024 – Ventura County, Ca.
Deputies attached to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit consists of a sergeant and four detectives. According to VCSD spokesman Senior Deputy Steve Krupnik, this law enforcement team is specifically tasked with investigating “crimes related to illegal firearms, gang-related activities, and graffiti vandalism.” This recent arrest underscores the importance of their work and the ongoing efforts to reduce illegal firearm possession in Ventura County.
With the proliferation of illegal firearm possession incidents throughout the county, the Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant on the morning of July 25 at the residence of Abel Aragon, a 45-year-old convicted felon residing in Camarillo. The warrant was served based on “information received in June 2024 indicating that Aragon was in possession of an unregistered firearm,” officials said.
Detectives searched Aragon’s home and discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol that did not bear serial numbers or any indices of registration with the California Department of Justice. Along with this “ghost gun” deputies found a cache of ammunition, both prohibited items under the terms of Aragon’s status as a convicted felon.
Aragon was taken into custody without incident, transported to Ventura County Jail, and charged with several offenses: unlawful transfer of a firearm (PC 27545), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)), and felon in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)(1)). He subsequently posted bail and has been released pending further adjudication of his charges.
