Guns and Narcotics Arrest 

November 14, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that during the month of October 2024, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) began an investigation into a City of Camarillo resident identified as, (S) Kyler Sawicki, for the possible possession of a "machine pistol." An investigation was initiated and detectives learned Sawicki had specific criminal convictions which prohibited him from possessing both firearms and ammunition. Through the investigation, detectives learned Sawicki was in possession of various additional Glock style pistols.

Based on the initial investigation, detectives authored a Ventura County Search Warrant which was signed by a Magistrate of the Ventura County Superior Court. Based on the risks posed to officers as well as the public, detectives coordinated with the Ventura City Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team for the service of the search warrant.

On November 08, 2024, operators with the Ventura City Police Department’s SWAT team served the signed Ventura County search warrant at two separate locations in the 2000 Block of Knoll Drive in the City of Ventura. During the service of the search warrant, Sawicki was detained on scene without incident.

Detectives subsequently conducted a search of both locations and located one Glock style non-serialized "Ghost Gun," firearm with a "Glock switch" attached to the slide. This pistol was later determined to be a fully functional machine pistol. Detectives also located a loaded 50 round drum style magazine for use with a Glock style pistol, one Winchester .22 caliber rifle, one two-shot derringer style pistol, seven AR-15 style partially milled lower receivers, an AR-15 style upper receiver, over 200 rounds of various caliber ammunition and over 100 Xanax pills.

Based on evidence seized during the service of the search warrant service as well as Sawicki’s status as a prohibited person, he was arrested for the following crimes: California Penal Code Sections 32625(a) – [ Possess or Transport Machine Gun], 32625(b) – [Convert Firearm to a Machine Gun], 29805 – [Own/Possess/Control Firearm by Prohibited Person], 30305(a) – [Felon in Possession of Ammunition], 27545 – [Unlawful Transfer of Firearm], and California Health and Safety Code Section 11375(b)(1) – [Possession for Sale of a Designated Controlled Substance.]

Sawicki was later booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Sawicki remains in custody with a bail set at $100,000.00.

The term "machine gun" is defined in California Penal Code Section 16880 and described as follows,

(a) "As used in this part, "machinegun" means any weapon that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can readily be restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger."
(b) " The term "machinegun" also includes the frame or receiver of any weapon described in subdivision (a), any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of a person."
(c) "The term "machinegun" also includes any weapon deemed by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as readily convertible to a machinegun under Chapter 53 (commencing with Section 5801) of Title 26 of the United States Code."

The term, "Machine Pistol," is any fully automatic pistol style firearm. The term, "Glock switch," is defined by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a device that allows a conventional semi – automatic Glock pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm. The Glock switch is also classified as a machine gun under United States Federal Law.

Lastly, 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 license 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.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter@VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

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 & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office