Gun bust nets Saticoy gang member, deputies say

Ventura

Deputies arrested a 27-year old man in Saticoy after a monthlong investigation into illegal weapons activity, authorities said Friday.

Authorities served a search warrant around noon June 6 at a residence in the 11000 block of Nardo Street.

The investigation focused on Santiago Gomez, 27, of Saticoy, who is a known gang member and was suspected of being in possession of firearms and ammunition, authorities said.

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The search yielded a rifle similar to an AK-47 with its serial number removed and a loaded handgun that had been reported stolen, deputies said. Gomez is a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, according to authorities. Deputies said they also found other evidence of firearm activity, including gun holsters and ammunition.

Gomez was not present for the search warrant but was found later by patrol deputies and taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful transfer of a firearm, removing a serial number from a firearm and street terrorism, according to authorities. He was booked into county jail where he remains in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Here's what was seized during a search warrant served by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in Saticoy on June 6.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.