A Fillmore man, identified by authorities as 34-year-old Ivan Hernandez, is back in custody after what investigators say were two separate assaults on teenagers, one of whom ended up hospitalized. Deputies report that a 17-year-old boy was found wounded near Old Telegraph Road on March 11 and taken to a hospital, and that the suspect was later tracked to the Santa Clara River bottom and arrested.
What investigators say
Deputies responded just before 6 p.m. on March 11 to reports of an assault near a side street and Old Telegraph Road in Fillmore, where they found the 17-year-old male with serious injuries, according to KTLA. The initial suspect had taken off before deputies arrived. Detectives later identified Hernandez as the suspected attacker and say they uncovered evidence tying him to a separate assault involving an 18-year-old male, the outlet reported.
Arrest and charges
Deputies located Hernandez on March 14 in the Santa Clara River bottom and took him into custody, where he was booked on charges that include assault with serious bodily injury, child endangerment, and battery, according to KTLA. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office, quoted in the report, added, "we would like to thank members of the public for providing information" that helped detectives track Hernandez down.
Prior arrest and local records
Sheriff records show Hernandez was previously arrested in January after deputies swept the river bottom in response to reports of a man chasing people with a knife. That earlier arrest included a parole hold and a booking for assault with a deadly weapon, according to a sheriff's release reproduced by local outlet Edhat. The January release described Hernandez as a documented criminal street gang member and detailed the use of aviation, UAS, and K-9 units during the search.
What’s next
Hernandez remains in custody while investigators and prosecutors review the case, and booking details and court dates were not immediately available. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Fillmore station or Ventura County Crime Stoppers, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
