THEFT CHARGES REPORTED AGAINST
SPORTFISHING AGENT ERNIE PENALOZA

July 16, 2004, Ventura County Star Article, Former San Felipe, Mexico Booking Agent Ernie Penaloza Faces Felony Theft Charges, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico:

By Kathleen Wilson, kwilson@VenturaCountyStar.com July 16, 2004

Excerpts:

...Santa Paulan faces felony theft charges

...He's accused of taking over $100,000 for fishing trips that never happened

...Penaloza, 46, pleaded not guilty Thursday to six counts of grand theft and two of violating the state's business and professional code.

...He remained in Ventura County Jail on Thursday in lieu of $10,000 bail. Neither he nor his attorney could be reached for comment Thursday.

..."The evidence we collected showed he used it for his personal use," Detective Ken Clark said.

...Patrol officers arrested Penaloza Wednesday at his home on Fourth Street in Santa Paula, de los Reyes said.

...the owner of the boat, Hector Villegas, was not implicated.

(See "Mexico Fishing News" online for current fishing reports, photos, weather, and water temperatures from San Felipe and other major Mexican sportfishing areas. Vacation travel articles, fishing maps and seasonal calendars, and fishing related information for San Felipe may be found at Mexfish.com's main San Felipe page.