Ventura Man Pleads Guilty to 10 Charges Including Bank Fraud and Identity Theft
In 2023, Oscar Aguirre Silva, Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez, and David Rey Reyes engaged in a calculated crime spree across Ventura County. These men recently entered guilty pleas to multiple charges including extortion, armed robbery, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Their criminal activities ranged from violent threats to extensive financial fraud, culminating in federal charges with severe potential penalties. This case underscores the relentless pursuit and prosecution of organized crime by federal authorities.
The Crimes Committed
On November 6, 2023, Oscar Aguirre Silva threatened to harm a taco truck vendor in Oxnard unless he received money, successfully extorting the vendor. Four days later, Silva intensified his criminal activities by robbing a woman in Ventura. During this incident, he stole her iPhone and her purse, which contained her credit and debit cards.
Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez aided Silva by acting as the getaway driver during the armed robbery. Additionally, on December 2, 2023, Ramirez was apprehended for possessing an unregistered assault rifle, loaded with four rounds of ammunition, in violation of his previous felony conviction.
David Rey Reyes was involved in using the stolen financial cards from the purse Silva took. He and Silva went to a Walmart in Ventura, where they bought $524 worth of goods with the victim’s cards. Later, they attempted to purchase additional items at a smoke shop in Oxnard, further implicating themselves in the crime spree.
Charges and Legal Implications
Oscar Aguirre Silva pled guilty to a total of ten felony charges: one count of interference with commerce by extortion, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (both under the Hobbs Act), three counts of bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez faced charges for one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. David Rey Reyes admitted to one count of attempted bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The Hobbs Act, which addresses robbery and extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce, played a pivotal role in Silva’s charges. This federal statute allows for up to 20 years in prison for each act of robbery or extortion. Bank fraud charges underlie the defendants’ unauthorized use of stolen credit and debit cards, carrying potential sentences of up to 30 years per charge due to the significant financial harm involved. Aggravated identity theft is particularly severe, mandating a two-year consecutive sentence to any other imposed, reflecting the government’s emphasis on protecting personal identity integrity.
Sentencing and Potential Consequences
The federal court has set the sentencing for Oscar Aguirre Silva on August 8, where he could face up to 30 years for each bank fraud-related count and 20 years for each Hobbs Act violation. These sentences highlight the harsh penalties federal courts can impose for such crimes.
Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez and David Rey Reyes are also awaiting their sentencing. Ramirez will be sentenced on the same day as Silva, August 8, with a potential sentence of up to 12 years in federal prison. Reyes’s sentencing is scheduled for May 29, where he could face severe penalties for bank fraud and mandatory sentences for aggravated identity theft.
