7 Suspects Arrested in Parole Sweep

A parole sweep through three cities in Ventura County has resulted in the arrests of seven people on charges ranging from parole violations to felony possession of a controlled substance for sale.

The five-hour sweep began at 5 a.m. Wednesday, conducted by the Ventura Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies and state parole agents. Officers made arrests in Ojai, Ventura and Fillmore, according to Sheriff’s Capt. Geoff Dean.

The intent of the sweep was to help state authorities round up those who have failed to report to their parole agents, Dean said.

One of the suspects, 32-year-old Erika Skaggs of Ventura, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. She was released after promising to appear in court at a later date, said a jail spokeswoman.

As of Friday, six suspects were still in custody. Three were being held without bail on suspicion of parole violations at the Todd Road jail in Santa Paula, according to a jail spokeswoman. They are Jimmy Shankles, 30, of Ventura, John Arnold, 35, of Ventura, and Eluterio Esquivel, 26, of Fillmore.

Authorities were holding 34-year-old Melinda Green of Ventura at the Ojai Honor Farm on suspicion of parole violation and being under the influence of a controlled substance, said the spokeswoman.

Two of the suspects were in custody at County Jail in Ventura. John Jappe, 33, of Ventura was being held without bail on suspicion of violating parole, and 38-year-old David Moura of Ventura was being held in connection with a felony charge of possessing a controlled substance for sale and violating parole, authorities said.