Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Former Inmate Arrested for Fraudulent Claim
Report Number: 15-10122
Location: Pre-Trial Detention Facility
Date & Time: 06/19/15 @ 2:40 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Special Services / Detention Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age

(S) West, Ryan William Camarillo 23

(V) County of Ventura

(V) Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Narrative:
Ryan West was arrested on 06/19/15 after the completion of a criminal investigation surrounding a fraudulent claim he submitted to the County of Ventura requesting $900,000.00 dollars in damages.

In April of 2015, West submitted a claim for damages to the Ventura County Clerk alleging he was unlawfully “tased” while serving jail time in 2014. Through his attorney who filed the claim, West submitted an alleged jail document describing the incident and identifying a Sheriff’s employee as the individual who “tased” West.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Bureau, initiated a criminal investigation surrounding the reported illegal use of force and quickly determined the incident never took place. The investigation revealed the jail document submitted by West was fictitious and created in an attempt to obtain money from the County of Ventura. The facts reported by West in his claim were also confirmed to have been fictitious.

The case was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office who elected to file five felony counts against West. Those charges included 72 PC (Presentation of a Fraudulent Claim, 118(a) PC (Perjury), 470(d) PC (Forgery), 529 PC (False Personation), and 530.5 PC (Identity Theft). The false personation and identity theft charges stemmed from West using the Sheriff employee’s personal information to generate the false claim.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the relationship of trust with the community and citizens we serve. Allegations of excessive force will be thoroughly investigated and the appropriate course of action will be taken at the conclusion of all investigations.

Prepared by: Detective Russell King
News Release Date: 06/22/15
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant William Therrien (805) 384-4724
[email protected]
Approved by: Captain Melissa Smith

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).