July 1, 2023 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that investigators with the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VCFOCUS) concluded an investigation of Jonathan Griggs of Ventura for selling Fentanyl to Ventura County residents.

During the month of June 2023, investigators assigned to the Ventura County Fentanyl Overdose and Crimes Units (VCFOCUS), received information that Jonathan Griggs was selling the deadly drug fentanyl.  Detectives conducted an investigation on Griggs and determined that he was a convicted felon and was currently out on bail for an unlawful transfer of a firearm case.  Griggs was convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and street terrorism stemming from a 2013 arrest in Ventura County. In 2020, Griggs was arrested for the felony crimes of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and the unlawful transfer of a firearm.  Griggs posted bail on this case and it is still being adjudicated.  In addition, Griggs is on probation for a driving under influence of drugs arrest and conviction in 2019. 

On June 29, 2023, at approximately 2:22 P.M. (1422 hours), VCFOCUS investigators located Griggs riding in a vehicle as a passenger.  A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle in the area of Thille Street and Hill Road, Ventura Griggs was detained, and a probation search was conducted on him, the vehicle, as well as his residence.   As a result, investigators seized approximately 29 grams of powder fentanyl, 43 Xanax pills, 110 Gabapentin pills, and $249.00 in United States currency.

Griggs was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for violating California Health and Safety Code sections 11351 / possession of a controlled substance for sale, and 11352 / transportation of a controlled substance.  Griggs, subsequent to being booked into jail, was found to be concealing a useable amount of fentanyl on his person.  Griggs was additionally arrested for violating Penal Code section 4573 / bringing a controlled substance into the jail, and 4573.6 / possession of a controlled substance while in jail.

Griggs remains in Ventura County Sheriff’s Office custody in lieu of $200,000.00 bail.  Griggs is scheduled to be arraigned in court on July 3, 2023, for his current charges.

The Ventura County Fentanyl Overdose and Crimes Units (VCFOCUS) is a task force made up of Ventura County regional law enforcement agencies. The primary mission of this partnership is to combat fentanyl related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting the supply chain of individuals and criminal organizations responsible for the sales of these drugs into Ventura County. In addition, the task force works to identify new trends of abuse among the younger population and educate the community at large on the lethal danger of this epidemic.

VCFOCUS has partnered with Ventura County Behavioral Health as an active member of the County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST) in a campaign to reduce overdoses and educate the public about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. Comprehensive information can be found at www.VenturaCountyResponds.org.

Nature of Incident: Convicted Felon Arrested for Possession of Fentanyl for Sale

Report Number: VPD #23- 40512

RB #23-82838

RB #23-82873

Location: 1500 Block of Johnson Drive, Ventura

Date & Time: June 29, 2023 - 1422 Hours

Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VCFOCUS)

The public may contact investigators from the VCFOCUS at (805) 383-8700 or VCFOCUS@ventura.org with additional information about this case, or any other information related to narcotics.

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).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office