“These law enforcement officers from the local, state and federal level removed firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and narcotics from the community which can only contribute to public safety. Investigating the unlawful possession of firearms can be extremely dangerous. These law enforcement officers put their safety at risk when serving these search warrants and arresting the suspects. We are grateful for their service.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
VENTURA COUNTY – During the month of May 2026, Thousand Oaks patrol deputies responded to a burglary in the 2900 Block of Teresa Drive and learned Frank Holzer, a Thousand Oaks resident, had allegedly stolen firearms from Tasha Dunning. Deputies located Holzer and recovered an assault weapon, a privately made firearm he allegedly stole from Dunning along with other weapons. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP) assumed the investigation into the illegal firearms activity.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Dunning’s residence, and on May 28, 2026, detectives from GVRP and the Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit (SCU) executed the search warrant. Detectives recovered:
- 14 firearms,
- several thousand rounds of ammunition,
- approximately 50 high-capacity magazines,
- and a quantity of ecstasy (MDMA).
Many of the firearms were unregistered, and one was an assault weapon. Dunning, 49, was arrested for several firearms and narcotics violations. Dunning’s case was submitted to the District Attorney’s Officer for filing considerations.
During the search at Dunning’s residence, detectives located an unregistered Glock, ammunition, cocaine, and high-capacity magazines in a tenant’s room. Through evidence located at the scene, detectives identified the suspect as Kastan Jones, 30. On June 12, 2026, Jones was located and arrested for several firearms and narcotics violations. The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office who filed weapons and narcotic charges along with driving with a suspended license.
Detectives continued the investigation and identified Randall Cota, 30, of Newbury Park as a close associate of Jones. The investigation revealed Cota to be a narcotic user and involved in unlawful firearm activity, leading detectives to obtain a search warrant for his residence. On July 15, 2026, GVRP and Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Units (DEU) executed the search warrant at his residence, locating:
- nine firearms,
- high-capacity magazines,
- and several thousand rounds of ammunition.
Of the firearms seized, one met the statutory requirements of an assault weapon, and two pistols were unregistered. Cota was booked at the East Valley Jail for possession of an assault weapon, unlawful transfer of a firearm, possession of a large capacity magazine and being an addict in possession of a firearm. The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program is an effort aimed at reducing gun violence in Ventura County through the enforcement of existing state firearms laws and the seizure of illegally possessed weapons. In partnership with state, federal, and local agencies, the program targets unlawful possession and manufacturing of firearms within Ventura County. A key focus includes facilitating the safe surrender of and/or seizing firearms and ammunition from individuals prohibited from owning or possessing them, with actions guided by entries in the State’s Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS). The VCSO GVRP unit is made up of detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, The California Department of Justice and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Together these agencies work to enhance public safety and prevent gun-related crimes in the community.
