Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge, Don Alway, praised the Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force for their collaboration to combat crime in their neighborhoods. According to FBI Los Angeles, Alway cited the importance of the task force's combined forces in their fight against violent crime and stated his support for its ongoing efforts.
Statement from FBI Los Angeles ADIC Don Alway on the relentless efforts of the Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force to fight violent crime. https://t.co/kMGrn6LKlJ pic.twitter.com/BYVCLZJnUN
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) September 20, 2023
In line with this mission, two alleged Ventura County gang members were charged on September 1 with federal felony firearm-related crimes, according to a recent published report by the FBI. Erik Haki Harris, 20, and Ernest Anderson, 31, each face a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
Both defendants made their initial appearances and were arraigned on September 20 in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. The trial date is set for October 24. Harris had his bond set at $10,000 while Anderson was ordered to be held without bond. As of this writing, both have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The indictment alleges that on July 21, Harris, also known as "G-way," possessed eight rounds of 9mm-caliber ammunition in a privately manufactured pistol with no serial number. Harris was not permitted to possess such ammunition due to a prior conviction in March 2022 in Ventura County Superior Court for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle. Anderson faces similar charges for firearm possession, as his criminal history also disallows him to legally possess firearms and ammunition.
The Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force consists of members from the FBI, the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, and other local law enforcement partners. Their goal is to address and dismantle gang crime in Ventura County.
If convicted, Harris and Anderson could each face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
