Camarillo | Suspects Arrested for Narcotic and Firearm violations

Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release

On 05/21/20, the Camarillo Police Department Special Enforcement Unit concluded a month long investigation and arrested several suspects for narcotic and firearm violations at a residence in Camarillo.

In April of 2020, the Camarillo Police Department Special Enforcement Detail received information that a Camarillo resident identified as John Gasier, was illegally storing trash in the front of his residence in the 100 Block of Encino Avenue in Camarillo. Detectives were familiar with Gasier from previous law enforcement contacts and they were also aware there had been numerous recent noise disturbance calls at his residence. During the course of this investigation, detectives also obtained evidence indicating Gaiser had access to and was possibly in possession of firearms at his residence. Based on recent legal actions against Gasier, he is currently prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On 05/21/20 at about 7:45 AM, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (S.W.A.T) and the Oxnard Police Department S.W.A.T Team served a search warrant at Gaiser’s residence in the 100 Block of Encino Avenue. During the warrant service, Gasier and four other subjects exited the residence and were detained outside. While SWAT team members were searching the interior of the house, they located two additional subjects hiding inside one of the bedrooms. These two subjects subsequently complied with instructions and were escorted out of the house. In total, seven subjects were contacted at the residence.

Following the service of the search warrant, detectives searched the residence and located amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine possessed for the purpose of sales, about $3300 in cash, a loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported stolen out of Los Angeles, and ammunition. Detectives also confirmed Gaiser had several other renters living at the location.

Code Compliance Officers from the City of Camarillo were also on scene based on the excessive trash that had built up in front of the residence. Code Compliance Officers observed numerous building code violations on the property, including plumbing and electrical issues. Camarillo Code Compliance Officers subsequently issued several notice of violations regarding the property, including having inoperable vehicles on the property, renting outside limits and for the house being a public nuisance.

As a result of the investigation and search warrant service, five subjects were arrested at the residence for the following charges:

John Gaiser: PC 29825(a) and WI 8103(i) / Prohibited person in possession of firearm, Camarillo Municipal Code 09.12.020 / excessive trash.

Michael Taylor: PC 27545 / Unlawful transfer of a firearm, PC 496 (a) / Possession of stolen property.

Kevin Guice: HS 11351 (a) / Possession of a controlled substance for sale, PC 148 (a) (1) / Resisting / Obstructing peace Officer.

Danielle Holt-Dixon: HS 11378 (a) / Possession of a controlled substance for sale, PC 148 (a) (1)/ Resisting / Obstructing Peace Officer.

Michael Girgis: HS 11377 / Possession of a controlled substance.

Gaiser, Taylor, Guice and Holt-Dixon were booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility with pending court dates. Michael Girgis was issued a misdemeanor citation for HS 11377.

The Camarillo Police Department Special Enforcement Detail is a plain clothes unit that conducts a variety of investigations of crimes and criminal activity occurring within the City of Camarillo.

The goal of SED is to reduce property crime and violent crime through investigations and directed enforcement.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Camarillo Police Department at 805-388-5100.