Community
Trap House News Story
Trap House News Story 
| Nature of Incident: | “Trap House” Search Warrant / Arrests | ||||
| Report Number: | 2021-38827 | ||||
| Location: | 100 block of Ann Avenue, City of Port Hueneme | ||||
| Date & Time: | 03/24/2021, at 9:10 AM | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit, Sheriff’s Gang Unit | ||||
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
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| (S1) Jose Guerrero (S2) Daniel Duarte (S3) Lawrence Crist (S4) David Matulich (S5) Malorie Martinez |
Port Hueneme Port Hueneme Port Hueneme Port Hueneme Port Hueneme |
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| Narrative: |
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| During the month of March 2021, detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit worked in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Gang Unit regarding a “trap house” operation located at the 100 block of Ann Avenue in Port Hueneme. A “trap house” is a slang word often used to describe an apartment or private house, sometimes in public housing projects, where multiple drug dealers (known as “trap stars” or “trap lords”) do business. Trap houses often attract gang members and drug users from a wide variety of backgrounds and demographics. On 03/24/2021, at about 9:10 AM, (S1) Jose Guerrero, who is on parole for manslaughter, was detained after he exited the suspected “trap house.” Following Guerrero’s detention, detectives with the Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit and Sheriff’s Gang Unit executed search warrants at two locations- one of which was the suspected “trap house.” During the search warrants, several occupants were detained, including several inside the “trap house.” As a result of the search warrants, multiple unlawfully possessed firearms and a large amount of methamphetamine were located and seized. In addition, indicia showing sales and distribution of controlled substances were located and seized. In summary, five subjects associated with the “trap house” were arrested for felony offenses, including two parolees. The following subjects were arrested and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility: (S1) Jose Guerrero was arrested for a parole hold (Penal Code § 3056). (S2) Daniel Duarte was arrested for violations of Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of Controlled Substance while Armed with Firearm], Health & Safety Code § 11378 – [Possession for Sale of Controlled Substance], Health & Safety Code § 11351 – [Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance], Penal Code 23920 – [Possession of Firearm with Serial Numbers Obliterated], and Penal Code § 27545 – [Unlawful Firearm Transfer]. (S3) Lawrence Crist was arrested for felonious violations of Health & Safety Code § 11370.1(a) – [Possession of Controlled Substance while Armed with Firearm], Penal Code § 29800(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of a Firearm], and Penal Code § 30305(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of Ammunition]. (S4) David Matulich was arrested for a felonious violation of Health & Safety Code § 11366 – Maintaining Place for Selling or Using Controlled Substances]. (S5) Malorie Martinez was arrested for a parole hold (Penal Code § 3056). |
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| Prepared by: |
Sergeant Jeremy Bramlette |
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| News Release Date: | 03/25/2021 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Detective Jarrod Foote [email protected] 805-383-8700 |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Slominski YES NO |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511
