Yesterday, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, collaborating with the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigations, ended a month-long investigation of illegal firearm manufacture and transfer in the county. The arrested suspect is Daniel Melgoza, detained at Siesta Way, an unincorporated area of Oxnard, according to the news release.
During Melgoza's arrest, detectives discovered four un-serialized privately made handguns, firearm parts, and evidence suggesting the production of these guns in Melgoza's home. Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMFs) do not have a serial number, thus allowing them to evade law enforcement tracking. Additionally, investigators found he had illegally transferred a handgun and rifle.
The California Department of Justice's Gun Violence Reduction Program, a grant-funded investigative unit, was instrumental in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office's gun violence reduction efforts. The cooperative efforts of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Oxnard Police Department, and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigations underline the value of a teamwork approach to addressing firearm-related crimes and preventing future incidents.
Authorities in Ventura County are encouraging the public to report any related information to the illegal manufacture and sale of firearms. The news release indicates that tips or information can be directed to the Gun Violence Reduction Program using the email address [email protected].
Following his arrest, Melgoza faces charges of Unlawful Firearms Transfers, violation of PC 27545, and Manufacturing a Handgun without a Serial Number, violation of PC 29180(g). He was held at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility but later released after paying a $10,000 bond. Melgoza's court date at the Ventura County Superior Court is set for November 1.
