A Los Angeles man faces multiple felony charges after Ventura County authorities accused him of selling counterfeit Oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. Ronald Jelaniwarren Joseph, a Woodland Hills resident, allegedly used social media platforms to distribute the illicit drugs directly to customers in Ventura County, as reported by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

Joseph, born on April 14, 2000, faces charges that include possession for sale of a controlled substance and the sale and transportation of a controlled substance, according to a press release from Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. The sting that led to his capture was orchestrated by VC FOCUS detectives, who engaged in surveillance and undercover operations to confirm his illicit activities.

Joseph's November 12, 2024 arrest came while he was attempting to complete a drug transaction in Newbury Park. A subsequent search of his apartment yielded a stockpile of over 1,000 fake M-30 pills and a handgun. Adding to the weight of his charges, the accused is identified as a documented gang member, a convicted felon, and was on active parole at the time of his arrest.

In a statement made by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, special allegations against Joseph include a previous strike offense and possessing a large quantity of contraband. With the additional discovery that he was armed with and used a weapon, the case's complexity deepens. He entered a "not guilty" plea at his arraignment and posted a $100,000 bail, securing his release until an early disposition conference set for March 7.