Arrests Made in Illegal Firearms Manufacturing / Possession 

October 24, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that during the month of August 2024, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) received information a juvenile subject residing in the City of Camarillo was in possession of a firearm.  An investigation was initiated and an adult male, identified as (S) Jorden Adams, was determined to be facilitating the juvenile subject in the unlawful possession of the firearm in question.  Detectives also identified Adams as a convicted felon; due to Adams’ previous criminal convictions, he was explicitly prohibited from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms and/or ammunition.  During the subsequent investigation of Adams and the juvenile subject, detectives gathered sufficient evidence to substantiate probable cause for a violation of California Penal Code Section 27545 – [Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm] and Penal Code 32310(a) – [Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine].

On October 22, 2024, detectives assigned to Camarillo SEU and the Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU), contacted and arrested the juvenile subject for a violation of California Penal Code 27545 and Penal Code 32310(a).  In accordance with current California law, the juvenile subject was later issued a citation and released to their legal guardian due to the non-violent nature of the aforementioned violations.  Camarillo SEU and DEU Detectives subsequently served a search warrant, signed by a magistrate of the Ventura County Superior Court, at a residence in the 6000 block of Arabian Place, located in the City of Camarillo.

During a search of the residence, detectives located five rifles, four pistols, two shotguns, high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of firearm ammunition in various calibers.  Three of the rifles had barrel lengths less than 16 inches which categorized them as, “short-barreled rifles”, and had additional features which met the legal criteria of an “assault weapon.” None of the pistols located during the search were serialized and were determined to be “ghost guns.”  In addition to the lack of serial numbers, one of the pistols had a specific feature, a threaded barrel, which also categorized it as an assault weapon.  One of the two shotguns had a barrel length of less than 18 inches which categorized it as a “short-barreled shotgun.”  In addition, detectives located tools and equipment commonly used to illegally manufacture firearms.  Detectives also located explosives, material used to make destructive devices or any explosive, and metal knuckles. 

After the search, detectives arrested Adams for the following violations: California Health and Safety Code Section 12305 –  [Possession of an Explosive], PC 18720 –  [Possession of Substance, Material or any Combination with Intent to Make any Destructive Device or Explosive], PC 29800(a)(1) – [Own/Possess/Control Firearm by Felon], PC 30600(a) – [Transport, Import, Manufacture Assault Weapon], PC 33215 – [Commerce, Transfer, Possess Sawed- Off Shotgun or Rifle], PC 30605(a) – [Possession of Assault Weapon], PC 30305(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of Ammunition], PC 27545 – [Unlawful Transfer of Firearm], PC 21810 – [Commerce, Transfer, Possess Metal Knuckles].

Adams was later booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

The term “short-barreled rifle,” is used in the California Penal Code to describe a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches. The term, “short-barreled shotgun,” is used in the California Penal Code to describe a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches. The term “ghost gun,” is used to describe firearms which lack serial numbers. Additionally, ghost guns can be transferred without the use of a federal firearms licensed dealer, which makes the firearms untraceable by law enforcement.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $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