Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
On February 24, 2021, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit (PCU) concluded a two month long narcotic and firearm investigation into Richard Gonzalez. Gonzalez was suspected to be involved in the sales of methamphetamine to residents of Thousand Oaks and throughout Ventura County. Gonzalez also had several felony narcotics sales warrants for his arrest issued by the Ventura County Superior Court.
Detectives located Gonzalez in Simi Valley while in the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by Caitlin Conway. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and arrested Gonzalez. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, detectives were able to seize a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, a loaded .40 caliber handgun and a Taser. Gonzales has previous felony convictions which make him prohibited from owning of possessing firearms or other weapons. The serial number was illegally removed from the gun. How Gonzalez obtained the firearm and who the registered owner of the firearm is under investigation.
Gonzalez was booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail for felony warrants, felony possession of firearms charges, and weapons charges for the Taser. Gonzalez’ bail was set at $110,000 and has an arraignment court date of February 26, 2021.
Conway was evaluated and found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and issued a citation with her promise to appear in court.
The Ventura County Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force made up of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Thousand Oaks Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The primary mission of the task force is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdoses due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use.
The Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is an active participant in the County Opiate Abuse Suppression Task Force (COAST) along with numerous other public agencies. To learn how we are fighting to end the opiate crisis, visit www.coastventuracounty.org The public may also anonymously use the email [email protected] to report pharmaceutical related crimes involving prescription medications.
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