VENTURA COUNTY- State investigators assigned to the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit assisted with an investigation into the heroin overdose death of a 23-year-old man which led to the arrest of two suspects now charged with furnishing heroin to the victim and involuntary manslaughter.

The overdose victim died in late December at a home in Meiners Oaks.  Investigators, including those from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit, conducted numerous interviews, served search warrants, and in early March arrested Clinton Erickson, 23, of Santa Paula and Gregory Ledbetter, 26, of Ventura.  Detectives determined the victim had obtained heroin with the aid of Clinton Erickson from Gregory Ledbetter.

The investigation by the Ventura Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau, Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force,Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit and Ojai Police Department is on-going.

“This is a good example of investigators from several agencies, teaming up and combining their resources and expertise,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcleona.

The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force that includes investigators from the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Health Care Services, and the Medical Board of California.