3 men charged in violent, weekslong crime spree in Southern California
Three men are facing decades in federal prison after a weekslong crime spree in Southern California late last year that included armed robbery, extortion, bank fraud and identity theft, authorities announced last month.
Federal prosecutors say that on Nov. 6, 2023, 30-year-old Oscar Aguirre Silva, a resident of Ventura, threatened a taco truck vendor in Oxnard with violence in order to extort the victim.
Just four days later, on Nov. 10, 2023, the 30-year-old robbed a woman at gunpoint, stealing her iPhone and purse, which contained two debit cards, one in her name and another victim’s name, according to news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Central District of California Office.
Another man, 28-year-old Ventura resident Edward Donaldo Ramirez, served as Silva’s getaway driver during the armed robbery.
“Both men then traveled to a Walmart store in Ventura, where they used the stolen cards to purchase $524 worth of merchandise,” prosecutors said.
Not long after that, Silva and 30-year-old Ventura resident David Rey Reyes successfully used and attempted to use the debit cards to purchase items at a smoke shop in Oxnard.
Two weeks later, on Nov. 25 and 26, federal authorities say Silva robbed a grocery store and smoke shop in Oxnard.
A week after that, on Dec. 2, while under the influence of methamphetamines, Ramirez was found to be in possession of a loaded assault-style rifle without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.”
“The firearm carried four rounds of ammunition,” prosecutors said. “Ramirez was not legally permitted to possess the ghost gun or the ammunition because of his February 2020 felony conviction in Ventura County Superior Court for carrying a loaded firearm.”
For his part, Silva pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of interference with commerce by extortion, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for each count of bank fraud, up to 20 years for the robbery and extortion count and a mandatory two-year term for each count of aggravated identity theft.
Narco in Southern California busted with $568K, 103 pounds of cocaine
Martinez also pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The 28-year-old faces a maximum of 12 years in federal prison, which includes a two-year prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8.
Reyes pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of bank fraud, one count of attempted bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud count, as well as the two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled for May 29.
All three men remain in federal custody.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
