Nature of Incident: Arrest Made in Solicitation of Murder for Hire Plot Report Number: 17-173702 Location: Pre-Trial Detention Facility / 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA Date & Time: 01/08/2018 at 1030 hours Unit(s) Responsible: Pre-Trial Detention Facility Classification Unit; Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age (S) David Kenneth Beech (V-1) Female (V-2) Female (V-3) Female (V-4) Female Simi Valley Ventura County Ventura County Ventura County Ventura County 58 49 24 24 62 Narrative: An inmate incarcerated at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility was arrested yesterday for solicitation of murder. David Beech was already in custody for possession of child pornography and multiple counts of committing lewd acts against children. Among his intended targets of the murder plot were victims of his previous sexual assaults. In October 2017, investigators received information revealing Beech intended to have several people murdered. The information prompted an investigation by the Classification Unit and the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau. Investigators learned Beech went through a series of calculated steps and overt acts to carry out his plan, which included the solicitation and employment of a “hitman” to perpetrate the crimes on his behalf. Unbeknownst to Beech, the individual he subsequently hired to commit the murders was actually an undercover police officer. Investigators determined Beech’s motivation to have these individuals murdered was so they would be unable to testify in his trial and, therefore, his current charges would be dropped. The likely result would have led to Beech’s release from custody. Following Beech’s arrest, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed four counts of solicitation of murder. Beech’s arraignment on those charges is pending. Beech, a 58-year-old Simi Valley resident, has been in custody since January 9, 2015 awaiting trial on the charges of child pornography and lewd acts. His bail has been set at $1.4 million. Prepared by: Sergeant Dean Worthy / Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau Media Release Date: 01/09/2018 Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Eric Buschow; 805-947-8129; [email protected] Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller; Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
