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Two Alleged Ventura County Gang Members Charged with Federal Felony Firearm-Related Crimes

 

by: Laura Eimiller
Published: September 25, 2023

 

LOS ANGELES...A federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment charging two alleged members of a Ventura County street gang with firearm-related charges, the FBI announced.

Erik Haki Harris, 20, a.k.a. “G-way,” of California City, and Ernest Anderson, 31, of Oxnard, each are charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, according to a superseding indictment a federal grand jury returned on September 1.

The defendants made their initial appearances and were arraigned Monday in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Harris and Anderson pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and an October 24 trial date was scheduled. A federal magistrate judge ordered Anderson jailed without bond. Bond for Harris has been set at $10,000.

According to the indictment, Harris on July 21 possessed eight rounds of 9mm-caliber ammunition contained inside a privately manufactured pistol bearing no serial number – commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.” Harris was not permitted to carry such ammunition because he was convicted in March 2022 in Ventura County Superior Court of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, the indictment alleges.

Also on July 21, Ernest Anderson allegedly possessed a pistol and 19 rounds of 9mm-caliber ammunition. Anderson previously was convicted in Ventura County Superior Court in July 2013 of felony domestic violence and, in November 2017, of first-degree robbery. As a convicted felon, Anderson is not permitted to possess firearms and ammunition.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, Harris and Anderson would each face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.