cityofox Federal agents carried out a large early morning operation Wednesday in Ventura County that drew major attention across the region, including in Oxnard, after multiple search warrants were executed by Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement agencies. One of the main targets of the operation was Leo Martinez, an organizer connected to the immigrant advocacy and ICE watch group VC Defensa. Agents arrived at the Ventura County residence around 3 a.m., where Martinez was seen detained in handcuffs while authorities searched the property, examined vehicles outside, and collected evidence from inside the home. According to officials, the raids were part of a broader operation spanning several California cities, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Bernardino and Corona. Authorities have not publicly stated what investigators were searching for or whether the raids are tied to any specific criminal allegations. Homeland Security Investigations released a brief statement saying investigators could not provide further details because the case remains active. Martinez previously made headlines in Oxnard last October during a tense confrontation involving federal immigration agents conducting an operation to locate a Mexican national identified by authorities as a registered sex offender. Federal officials claimed activists interfered with agents during the operation by recording and verbally confronting officers at the scene. At the time, Martinez said he was attempting to leave the area when federal vehicles collided with his truck. He was detained for several hours and later released while the investigation remained ongoing. Wednesday’s operation brought a noticeable law enforcement presence to parts of Ventura County during the early morning hours, with residents in nearby neighborhoods reporting seeing unmarked vehicles, flashing lights, and heavily armed agents surrounding homes. Despite the large-scale operation, no arrests were officially announced Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say more information could be released as the case develops. View all 716 comments