August 17, 2026 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that detectives investigating a felony 
violation of California Penal Code section 136.1(c) - dissuading a witness, have arrested and obtained charges against an incarcerated defendant accused of attempting to dissuade witnesses from testifying in an underlying criminal case.
On 04/26/2023, Perez was arrested by the Simi Valley Police Department for Lewd Acts Upon a Child. Following the arrest, Perez was booked at the Ventura County jail where he remained incarcerated.
In March 2025, detectives assigned to the Moorpark Investigatoin Unit located information indicating Perez was possibly attempting to contact and dissuade a witness from testifying in the Simi Valley case. Detectives continued the investigation.
At the end of June 2026, investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations and Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau were notified and joined the investigation. Through the course of the investigation, detectives located evidence indicating Perez was contacting his associates in an attempt to dissuade witnesses from testifying in the underlying Simi Valley case.
On 08/12/26, detectives served search warrants at the residences located along the 300-block of Aristotle Street in Simi Valley and 14000-block of Avenida Colonia in Moorpark, where Perez’ associates were contacted. Additional evidence was located at both residences.
Perez was subsequently contacted at the Pre-Trial Jail Facility, where detectives served a search warrant of his jail cell. Additional evidence related to the dissuasion of a witness and witness intimidation was located inside Perez’ jail cell.
Perez was arrested and supplementally booked for two counts of PC 136.1(c)(1) – Dissuading a Witness / Witness Intimidation by Threat of Force.
The case was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, who elected to file the aforementioned charges. Perez’ next court date is 08/14/26 at 1:30 P.M.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Nathaniel Rushing at (805) 384-4722. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Nature of Incident: |
Incarcerated Defendant Arrested and Charged with Dissuading Witnesses in Simi Valley Child-Related Case |
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Report Number: |
26-83799 |
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Location: |
800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura |
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Date & Time: |
08/12/26 @ 12:30 PM |
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Unit(s) Responsible: |
Moorpark Investigations Unit |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
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(S) Anthony Perez |
Moorpark |
50 |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office