Edhat Staff
An Oxnard farmer and water district board member has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years probation for grand theft of water.
Last week Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced Daniel Naumann’s sentencing after pleading guilty to a felony count of grand theft. His jail sentence is set to begin on June 17, at Ventura County Jail.
Naumann, the owner and operator of Naumann Family Farms in Oxnard, had previously served as a publicly-elected board member of the United Water Conservation District. However, he resigned from his position ahead of the sentencing.
The case against Naumann unfolded after an investigation by the Major Crimes Bureau of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives discovered that diversion bypasses had been installed on two commercial water pumps, redirecting water illegally to Naumann’s crops.
These bypasses were strategically placed before the flow meters responsible for measuring water usage for billing purposes, according to investigators.
Per the findings of the investigation, Naumann had pumped approximately $29,301 worth of groundwater between 2019 and 2021 without making any payments to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency. Prior to his guilty plea in March, Naumann had paid $30,000 in restitution.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Anthony Wold stated, “While serving as an elected member of a water board responsible for preserving groundwater in Ventura County, the defendant stole groundwater for his own agricultural uses.”
He further highlighted the comprehensive and sophisticated nature of the investigation conducted by the Major Crimes Bureau, which ultimately held Naumann accountable for his actions.
The prosecution’s stance reflects the significance of protecting water resources, especially in an agricultural region like Ventura County.
The case serves as a reminder of the consequences faced by those who unlawfully divert water, impacting both the environment and the water distribution system.
As Daniel Naumann begins his jail sentence, the community waits to see how this case will influence future measures to safeguard water resources and ensure fair usage in Ventura County.
