April 11, 2024 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report Sheriff’s office narcotics detectives recently concluded a month-long investigation with the arrest of a suspected cocaine dealer in the Ojai Valley.

During the month of March, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Street Team developed information indicating Deion Dawson was selling cocaine from his residence located in the 400 block of East Oak Street in Ojai.  Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Dawson for drug trafficking, and obtained a search warrant to search Dawson, his residence, and his vehicle from the Ventura County Superior Court. 

On April 5^th, narcotics detectives, with the assistance of deputies from the Ojai Police Department, arrested Dawson in his vehicle in the 600 block of Grand Avenue.  During the arrest, Dawson battered a detective causing injury.  During the execution of the search warrant, detectives seized over four ounces of cocaine, two ounces of psilocybin mushrooms, a half-pound of marijuana, an unregistered assault rifle, and U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from the sales of narcotics.

The narcotics detective was treated at the scene for his injuries and, thankfully, did not require further medical attention.
Dawson was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on multiple felony charges, including narcotics sales, unlawful firearm possession, and battery on a peace officer.  Dawson remains in custody with a court date of April 24, 2024.  His bail has been set at $50,000.

Amidst the ongoing opioid crisis, which has claimed thousands of lives across the country, the spotlight on the threat posed by the use and abuse of cocaine has been somewhat overshadowed. Cocaine remains one of the most widely abused illicit substances globally, carrying a substantial risk of addiction. Its usage can cause damage to every organ system in the body, and an overdose can lead to severe physical emergencies, including fatalities.

Nature of Incident:	Cocaine Dealer Arrested with an Assault Rifle
Report Number:	24-41447
Location:	400 block of East Oak Street, Ojai
Date & Time:	4/5/2024 @ 5:05 PM
Unit(s) Responsible:	Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Street Team; Ojai Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent			City of Residence		Age
(S) Deion Dawson			Ojai		28

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office