Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Arrest Made in Fatal Overdose Case
Report Number: 15-14408
Location: Silver Strand Beach, Ventura County
Date & Time: June 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes
Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office West County Narcotics Street Team

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Michelle Filkins Port Hueneme 52
(V) Armando Serna Oxnard 41

Narrative:
On June 27, 2015, at about 6:00 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies from the Headquarters station responded to a report of a person not breathing. The victim was located in the La Janelle parking lot, at Ocean Drive and Sawtelle Ave, in the unincorporated area of Oxnard known as Silver Strand Beach. Responding deputies quickly learned the victim most likely suffered a fatal overdose from a heroin injection.

Investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office West County Narcotics Street Team responded to the scene.

The investigation revealed Michelle Filkins prepared and supplied heroin to Armando Serna. Serna immediately experienced an adverse reaction to the heroin. Filkins, who told investigators she was a nurse, attempted to treat Serna but ultimately summoned medical assistance after he stopped breathing.

Filkins was arrested for supplying heroin to Serna and booked into custody at the Ventura County Main Jail. On 6-30-15, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of furnishing heroin and a special allegation of causing great bodily injury during the commission of a felony. Pending the result of Serna’s autopsy, a charge of manslaughter is possible in the near future. Filkins is currently in custody with bail set at $150,000.


Prepared by: Sergeant Victor Fazio
News Release Date: June 30, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Bill Therrien
(805) 947-8119
[email protected]

Approved by: Captain Curt Rothschiller

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