Ventura County Sheriff Department – Incident Press Release
On February 27, 2019, patrol deputies from the City of Thousand Oaks Police Station and Detectives from the East County Street Narcotics Team contacted and arrested numerous subjects for narcotics related violations taking place in the City of Thousand Oaks.
On February 27, 2019, Narcotics detectives conducted an investigation involving local probationer Jonathan Hood of the City of Thousand Oaks. During the investigation, Hood offered to sell an undercover detective illegal narcotics. Detectives located Hood in the 300 block of Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks and conducted surveillance. Detectives watched as he associated with Nevin Bennett and Bailee Rios, both out of Simi Valley. Detectives recognized Bennett, as he was a subject of a separate narcotics investigation. Detectives knew Bennett had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Additionally, Bennett’s girlfriend, Rios, was also on active Ventura County probation for narcotics related offenses.
Detectives watched as probationer Blakely Harrell-Barona of Simi Valley arrived in a separate vehicle. Harrell-Barona met with Hood, Bennett and Rios for what detectives believed to be a narcotics transaction. Detectives converged and contacted all four subjects involved. During the contact, Bennett attempted to maneuver his vehicle in an attempt to flee, but was unsuccessful. All four subjects were detained and subsequently arrested for various narcotics related charges. In all, detectives seized 34 grams of heroin, 6.5 grams of methamphetamine and over one hundred prescription pills that were destined to be sold to an undercover detective. Detectives also seized paraphernalia indicative of narcotics sales.
Detectives ultimately arrested both Hood and Bennett for possession for sale of controlled substances. Bennett was also arrested for his felony warrant. Rios was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and Harrell-Barona was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. All four subjects were transported to the Thousand Oaks Police Station. Hood and Bennett were later booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility while Rios and Harrell-Barona were released with misdemeanor citations. All four are awaiting criminal proceedings.
Heroin and prescription medications are highly addictive and widely abused by narcotics users of all ages. Heroin and prescription medications obtained both legally and illegally are among the leading causes of both fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses plaguing Ventura County.
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