THOUSAND OAKS : Father in Custody Battle Arrested

A Thousand Oaks man who is fighting for custody of his baby daughter was ordered to jail Friday for failing to pay traffic fines.

Gregory Figueroa, 23, has filed court papers seeking the return of his 18-month-old daughter, Allison. The baby’s mother, Jennifer Jordan, was killed in a drive-by shooting May 31 as she stood outside the Houston Drive home she shared with Figueroa. Investigators, who have arrested two gang members as suspects, claim that Jordan was struck by bullets intended for members of a rival gang.

Jordan’s father, Charles Jordan, has temporary custody of the child and is seeking permanent guardianship. He has alleged in court papers that Figueroa’s admitted friendship with gang members would endanger the baby. Charles Jordan’s attorney also has claimed that Figueroa is unfit because he is charged with failing to provide more than $5,000 in support for a child he fathered by another woman.

When Figueroa appeared in court Friday to plead not guilty in the child-support case, he was arrested on several outstanding warrants.

A jail spokesman said he did not have details, but said the warrants were for failure to pay traffic fines and that Figueroa was expected to be released on bail.