LOS ANGELES, California — Two Ventura County men were sentenced to federal prison terms for their involvement in a crime spree that included extorting a taco truck vendor, robbing two small businesses, and fraudulently using stolen debit and credit cards.
Oscar Aguirre Silva, 31, of Ventura, received a 72-month sentence from United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered him to pay $2,941 in restitution. Silva pleaded guilty on April 25 to multiple charges, including interference with commerce by extortion and robbery, bank fraud, attempted bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
At a separate hearing, Judge Vera sentenced Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez, 28, of Ventura, to 54 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $1,597 in restitution. Ramirez pleaded guilty on April 25 to aggravated identity theft and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“The victims in this case were people just trying to make a living by operating a food truck when they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our society. Punishing those who engage in violent gun offenses is and will continue to be a priority for my office. Our community deserves no less.”
On November 6, 2023, Silva threatened violence to extort a taco truck vendor in Oxnard. Four days later, Silva and Ramirez robbed a woman at gunpoint, stealing her iPhone, purse, and credit and debit cards. The duo then used the stolen cards to purchase $524 worth of merchandise at a Walmart store in Ventura. Silva and another co-defendant, David Ray Reyes, 30, of Ventura, later attempted to use the stolen cards at an Oxnard smoke shop.
Silva also robbed two Oxnard businesses—a smoke shop and a grocery outlet—on November 25 and 26, 2023. On December 2, 2023, Ramirez, while under the influence of methamphetamine, possessed an unregistered assault rifle, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” and four rounds of ammunition. Ramirez was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition due to a prior felony conviction in February 2020.
Reyes pleaded guilty on March 6 to attempted bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison by Judge Vera on June 6.
All three defendants remain in federal custody.
Operation Safe Cities, which aims to prosecute the most significant drivers of violent crime, played a role in these arrests and convictions. The initiative focuses on improving public safety by targeting crimes involving illicit guns and prohibited persons possessing firearms.
Most Popular
Comments / 0