by Cindy Summers
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Contacting Minors for Sexual Purposes, Possession of Child Pornography
On March 28 at 12pm, Ventura Police Detectives received a tip from Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and a tip from National Center for Missing and exploited Children (NCMEC) that a 14-year-old Male had requested help as he was being pressured into sending photos to a subject on Instagram.
On March 30, a detective from SVU contacted the Juvenile and learned that a subject with a female profile contacted the Juvenile and sent him nude photos of a female. The subject with the female profile was later identified to be 22 year old Travis Whitfield. Under the fraudulent female profile, Whitfield asked for nude photos from the Juvenile. The Juvenile sent a nude photo to Whitfield. Whitfield asked for more pictures, and if the Juvenile did not send photos, Whitfield would send the first photo out on the internet. The Juvenile tried to get out from sending more photos to Whitfield but feared his photo was going to be sent out to friends and family. Prior to sending Whitfield more photos the Juvenile asked for help from Instagram, ICAC, and NCMEC.
During the investigation, detectives learned through search warrants that several Juveniles were contacted by Whitfield starting in 2018. Detectives also learned Whitfield was conspiring with another subject who also lived in Oxnard. Both subjects were exchanging juvenile photos and sharing ideas on how to get juveniles to share nude photos of themselves. Oxnard Police Department was contacted and took over the investigation on the second suspect, who was later arrested on April 8.
On April 6, SVU, FBI, VCDA Investigators, and a VPD K-9 unit served a search warrant at Whitfield’s residence and recovered several pieces of evidence. Whitfield was arrested during the search warrant service and later booked at Contacting minors for a sexual purpose, Conspiracy, Dissuading a victim, Possession of child pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography with intent to distribute. Whitfield’s bail was set at one million.
Follow up into this case is still ongoing as we know there are many victims that we have not contacted. If Whitfield has contacted, you or your child under the Instagram name “Devon Bay” or the Instagram
Attempt Homicide
On April 9, at approximately 7am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from the Manager at the Loops Motor Lodge as he had found a female subject bleeding from the head in a room.
Patrol officers arrived and learned that the victim was staying at the Lodge with her boyfriend, 31 year old Jonathan Aguirre. Both became involved in a domestic dispute and began to argue. During the argument, Aguirre strangled the victim, causing her to lose consciousness. Aguirre exited the room and picked up a rock from the planter and began to hit the victim over the head.
Aguirre fled prior to Police arrival and was later found by officers walking in a nearby neighborhood. Aguirre was taken into custody and later booked at VCJ for Attempt Homicide and a Parole Violation.
The victim has moderate to severe injuries, a laceration to the skull, fractured left hand, and visible signs of being strangled.
Aguirre is currently on parole for threats of violence, battery, and is on probation out of LA County for robbery.
Domestic Violence with SWAT Activation
On April 11, at approximately 2:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a physical domestic inside an apartment at the Peppertree Condos in the 1300 block of Saratoga Ave. The male suspect, later identified as 34 year old Ventura resident Gilbert Rivera, forced his way into his ex- girlfriend’s condo by breaking a sliding glass door and physically assaulted her once inside. The victim and three of her young children were able to leave the condo, and were met by responding officers. It was reported Rivera armed himself with a knife as the victim fled from the condo and then barricaded himself inside.
The victim received minor injuries to her arms and legs from broken glass. She was treated at the scene. None of the children were injured.
Officers attempted to negotiate with Rivera, but he refused to come out of the condo. While speaking with officers, he repeatedly threatened to assault and kill officers. Rivera also threw glass bottles, metal objects and various items at officers who were outside of the condo. He also intentionally lit two fires inside the condo, which caused minor damage.
For the safety of other residents in the building, all the occupants inside the neighboring condos were evacuated.
The Ventura SWAT team was activated and responded to the scene. Crisis negotiators also responded and after approximately 8.5 hours of negotiations, Rivera surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
Commercial Burglary, Resisting Arrest, Felon with Ammo, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Controlled Substance, Wanted Felon Arrest
On March 31 at 4am, Ventura Police Department Patrol officers responded to a commercial burglary at Gracie’s Deals, located in the 90 block of W. Main St. At about 0400 hours, an unknown suspect broke into the store and stole several thousand dollars worth of t-shirts and sweatshirts. Street Crimes Detectives began an investigation and identified 39 year old Ventura resident Cano Sanchez as the burglar through security video footage.
On April 16 at 8am, Street Crimes Detectives, with the assistance of Ventura Police Patrol Officers, K9 and Ventura Police PROS Unit served a search warrant on a residence in the 40 block of Vince St. During the service of the search warrant, Sanchez fled from officers and began jumping fences in an attempt to escape. Sanchez was taken safely into custody in the 150 block of Vince St. Also, inside the residence was a wanted felon, 30 year old Ventura resident Anthony Maxwell, who was taken into custody without incident. During the search of the home, most of the stolen property from Gracie’s Deals was located, along with an illegal AR-style rifle, ammunition, and methamphetamines.
Maxwell was arrested and booked at VCJ for his warrant and possession of stolen property related to the burglary. Sanchez was arrested and booked for commercial burglary, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and felon in possession of ammo. A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Sanchez has prior convictions of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of illegal weapons, possession of drugs, resisting arrest, and a recent arrest for felony battery.
