The Ojai Post

from the Ventura County Sheriff - Gang Unit:

On Saturday, 06/13/2009, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested Fidel Duran for a gang-related attempted murder that occurred in the City of Ojai on New Years Eve. Duran was in custody at the Ventura County Mail Jail on other unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.

On the morning of 01/01/2009, at about 1:45 a.m., Joshua Powers, 28 years-of-age, was walking home from a party in the 200 block of Waite Street. Powers was confronted by individuals who were attending a nearby party. Powers was attacked and stabbed 17 times. The suspects fled leaving Powers lying unconscious on the street. A short time later, an anonymous person called emergency personnel and reported that Powers was lying in the street. Powers was transported to Ojai Hospital where he narrowly survived his wounds. Powers was in the hospital for several days before being released.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Gang Unit conducted a 5-month investigation and identified Ojai gang member Fidel Duran as the person who stabbed Powers. Gang investigators believe Duran did not act alone and they expect to make more arrests. Duran is being held at the Ventura County Jail on $505,000 bail.