On June 13, 2020, deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Patrol, Detention Services Division, Narcotics Unit, and the Sheriff’s Gang Unit participated in a coordinated directed enforcement operation and arrested Joshua Posey, John Wells, and Wendy Gibson-Mills for Illegal Possession of Loaded Firearm, Possession of Marijuana For Sale, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and other narcotics related charges.
On June 13, 2020, deputies and detectives were conducting proactive directed enforcement using funds from a Department of Homeland Security grant named Operation Stonegarden. The grant is managed by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit and funds are used to conduct directed enforcement operations targeting narcotics trafficking and related illegal activities in Ventura County.
Sheriff’s Communications Cente received a stolen vehicle alert for a motorcycle that was in the Silverstrand Beach Community. Headquarters Patrol canvassed the area of the alert and located the stolen vehicle loaded in the rear of a pickup truck in the 2500 block of Roosevelt Boulevard. Undercover Detectives from the Sheriff’s Gang and Narcotics Unit conducted surveillance. A short time later, they saw John Wells and Wendy Gibson-Mills load up in the pickup truck. A high-risk stop was conducted on the truck. Wells, Gibson-Mills, and a third person later identified as parolee Joshua Posey were directed out of the truck.
During a search of the vehicle, a loaded compact semi-automatic handgun was located hidden inside the truck. It was discovered Posey had a concealed holster in his waistband. Also inside the truck were marijuana sales indicia and a large sum of money.
Detectives discovered Posey, Wells, and Gibson-Mills were staying in a hotel in Oxnard. Detectives conducted a search of their hotel room and discovered 40 pounds of marijuana, additional paraphernalia indicative of narcotic sales, and air mail packaging. Detectives determined all three were air mailing marijuana to various locations outside the state, having an approximate street value of over $500,000.
Posey was booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail facility for violations of PC 496(a)- Felony Receiving of a Stolen Vehicle, HS 11359– Felony Possession of Marijuana For Sale, PC 182(a)(1)- Felony Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC 29800 – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and other firearm related charges. Posey remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.
Wells was booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail facility for violations of PC 496(a)- Felony Receiving of a Stolen Vehicle, HS 11359– Felony Possession of Marijuana For Sale, PC 182(a)(1)- Felony Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, and other narcotics related charges. Wells remains in custody with bail set at $400,000.
Gibson-Mills was booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail facility for violations of PC 496(a)- Felony Receiving of a Stolen Vehicle, HS 11359– Felony Possession of Marijuana For Sale, and PC 182(a)(1)- Felony Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Gibson-Mills remains in custody with bail set at $400,000. |
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