Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Julius Perdomo and Sarah Pet for Drug Sales

(Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department photo)

Authorities Discover Huge Stash of Marijuana, Psilocybin Mushrooms and Cash

by Jae Brattain | posted 01.22.2014

Julius Perdomo

Julius Perdomo was driving through Isla Vista playing music loudly from his vehicle on Friday, January 17th.  Members of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol pulled him over and found a large quantity of marijuana inside the car.  They also discovered evidence of potential narcotic sales.  He was immediately arrested at the scene.

UCSB Police officers and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the IVFP conducted further investigation of Perdomo.  The 25-year old male had a  girlfriend who stayed at his residence near the corner of Camino Del Sur and El Colegio Road.  Suspecting that the girlfriend might also be involved in the sales of narcotics, authorities were able to get a search warrant.

Sarah Pet, 23, was taken into custody after deputies discovered 58-pounds of marijuana, about one pound of psilocybin mushrooms, and approximately 1.5-ounces of concentrated cannabis.  Psilocybin mushrooms are also known on the streets as Shrooms, Magic Mushrooms, and Psychedelic Mushrooms.  This drug, which is ingested by individuals orally,  causes episodes of hallucinations and alters the users reality perception according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Sarah Pet

Deputies also found $17,000 cash, as well as two safe-deposit keys on the premises.  More search warrants were issued to inspect the safe-deposit boxes.

Authorities discovered an additional mountain of cash, in total about $93,000.  On Tuesday, January 21st, the bank accounts of the couple were also examined.  They found an extra $16,000 from that source.  In total, there was $127,000 seized.

Both Perdomo and Pet are being charged with possession of marijuana and psilocybin mushroom for sales.  They were taken to Santa Barbara County Jail.  The bail bond amount for Perdomo was set at $30,000.  Pet was released from custody on her own recognizance.

Police Nab James Begg in Santa Barbara Narcotics Bust

Suspect in Custody After Two Month Investigation by Detectives

by Jae Brattain | posted 01.20.2014

James Robert Begg

James Robert Begg was arrested by the Santa Barbara Police Department after detectives obtained a search warrant for suspected drug sales.  He was under surveillance for a two month period beginning in November 2013.  According to detectives from the Narcotics and Vice Division, he has been accused of selling heroin, one of the most addictive drugs on the street.

However, Begg countered that he was not actually selling heroin.  His contention was that he gave it freely to those suffering.  Heroin is known to be highly addictive and approximately 23-percent of people actually become physically dependent on it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  Roughly 4.2 million have admitted using the drug at least once.  This equates to approximately 1.6-percent of the population in the United States.

Detectives observed Begg at his home near the corner of Gillespie Street and West Pedergosa Street on Santa Barbara’s westside.  During the two month period, they witnessed the suspect selling narcotics during their investigation. A search warrant was granted to detectives on January 10, 2014.  On Wednesday, January 15th, the warrant was executed to arrest the subject and search his residence.

Begg was taken into custody after he rode away on a bicycle in the morning.  Police officers stopped him a few blocks away and placed him into handcuffs.  They then went back to his home and conducted a thorough search of the premises.  Detectives discovered approximately $400 worth of heroin, nearly $500 in cash, as well as a variety of paraphernalia to use narcotics.  The list included syringes to inject heroin, a weigh scale, and packaging normally associated with drug distribution.

The 50-year old suspect was taken to Santa Barbara County Jail.  His bail bond has been set at $30,000 for felony narcotics sales, as well as felony possession for sales and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession.

Sheriff’s Detectives Apprehend Scott Lienhart for Child Pornography and Drugs

The UCSB Student Had Lewd Images Stored on Cell Phone

by Jae Brattain | posted 01.16.2014

Scott Lienhart

Scott Lienhart has been arrested after Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies stumbled upon the suspect manufacturing concentrated cannabis in his backyard.  The incident began when deputies were citing his roommate for being under 21 and having alcohol.  The individual being cited ran away from the scene, but was later located at his residence that he shares with Lienhart.  Neighbors in the area provided assistance to the deputies by pointing where the suspect lived.

They found the individual at a house near the corner of Sabado Tarde Road and Camino Pesdacero in Isla Vista, which is only two blocks away from the UCSB campus. His name has not been released.  However, deputies also discovered illegal concentrated cannabis being produced in the backyard by 19-year old Lienhart.  He is a student

The initial incident occurred January 8th, but was followed up with further investigation by the Isla Vista Foot Patrol and Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division.  A search warrant was obtained and then subsequently executed on January 14.

While searching the residence, investigators discovered pornographic images of children on Lienhart’s cell phone.  He was arrested at the scene and taken to Santa Barbara County Jail.  Initially, a bail bond set for the defendant, but he was later released on his own recognizance.  The District Attorney’s Office has been forwarded all of the case information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

At this time, Lienhart is being charged with possession of child pornography, manufacturing concentrated cannabis, and possession of a controlled substance.  All are felony level charges, which could carry a possible California State Prison sentence.  However, the charges may be reduced to misdemeanors once the case is determined by a Superior Court judge.

Santa Barbara Police Bust Robert Banks for Narcotics Sales

Suspect Sold Heroin from Los Angeles Area to Local Dealers

by Jae Brattain | posted 01.15.2014

Robert Keith Banks

On January 8, 2014, officer from the Santa Barbara Police Department placed Robert Keith Banks under arrest for narcotics sales.  The suspect had 9.75 ounces of heroin in possession at the time.  Officers also discovered a collapsible police baton, which is considered unlawful under Penal Code 16590 (m) in the State of California.  He also had an outstanding arrest warrant of $20,000 for a probation violation.

Investigators believe that Banks is a major player in the illicit heroin trade around Santa Barbara.  The suspect is based out of Inglewood, a city in southwestern Los Angeles County.  He had been transporting large amounts of narcotics to local dealers in Santa Barbara.  Detectives were able to establish contact and subsequently located him in the Carpinteria area.  The arrest was made at the McDonald’s parking lot on Casitas Pass Road, near the 101 freeway.

McDonald’s, 1115 Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria

Banks had been suspected of illegal narcotics sales and investigated by the police for the past three months.  Detectives started the process in October 2013.  The arrest was a cumulative effort that resulted in the 46-year old man being taken into custody.  According to police, the approximate value of the heroin in his possession at the time of arrest was $9,300 on the streets.

After his detainment, police transported Banks to Santa Barbara County Jail.  Besides the $20,000 warrant for violating his probation, he was also booked for the sale and transportation of narcotics, as well as unlawful weapon possession.  The bail bond for the new charges was set at $30,000.