Domestic Violence and Firearms Arrest 

August 23, 2023 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a physical domestic violence call.  Deputies responded to the scene and learned the adult female victim was battered by her husband, Jose Ramiro Torres, causing visible injuries.  Jose also battered his 15-year-old daughter, causing an injury.  Torres fled the residence in a vehicle.  After an exhaustive search which involved the coordination of multiple units from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Torres was located and arrested.  When Torres was located, he was found to be in possession of an illegal ghost gun firearm.

On August 5, 2023, at approximately 11:37 p.m., deputies responded to a residence on Orange Drive in Oxnard.  The caller described an adult female victim being battered by Jose Ramiro Torres. The caller was in fear for the safety of the adult victim and a juvenile female victim.

Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Headquarters Patrol Station responded to the residence and contacted the victims and additional parties that witnessed the events.  Torres fled the residence prior to Sheriff’s Deputies arrival on scene.

The victims and witnesses provided a description of the incident.  The incident involved Torres strangling and battering the adult female victim.  The juvenile female victim attempted to intercede on the adult female victim’s behalf.  Torres battered the juvenile female victim causing her to have difficulty breathing.  Torres managed to flee the residence and enter a vehicle.  The adult female victim attempted to stop Torres from fleeing the residence.   Torres struck the adult female victim with the vehicle and fled the area.  One of the witnesses reported Torres may be in possession of a firearm.

Detectives from the Headquarters Patrol Station Investigations Unit investigated Torres and learned that he is a convicted felon with a history of violence.  Due to this conviction, Torres is prohibited from legally possessing firearms.  Torres is also a Post Release Offender Status (PROS) probationer and had a local outstanding felony warrant for failing to report to the Ventura County Probation Agency.

The Headquarters Patrol Station Investigations Unit and the West County Special Enforcement Unit were able to locate Torres in the 600-block of Cooper Road in Oxnard.  The units contacted Torres in the parking lot of a business and took him into custody without incident.

The vehicle Torres was driving was searched and an unserialized handgun, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”, loaded with live ammunition was located underneath the driver’s seat of the vehicle within Torres’ reach.

Torres was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of California Penal Code Sections 273.5(a)-Domestic violence causing injury, 273d(a)-Child cruelty, 29800(a)(1)-Firearms possession by felon or addict, 30305(a)(1)-Prohibited person in possession of a firearm, 25400(a)(1)-Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, 27545-Unlawful transfer of a firearm, an outstanding local felony warrant, and the Ventura County Probation Agency placed a no bail PROS hold on Torres.

Nature of Incident: Felon found in possession of ghost gun during arrest for domestic violence and child cruelty.

Report Number: 23-100593 and 23-102315

Location: 600 block of Cooper Road, Oxnard

Date & Time: August 9th, 2023 / 3:00 PM

Unit(s) Responsible: Headquarters Patrol Station Investigations / West County Special Enforcement Unit

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: Ventura County Sheriff's Office