A woman suspected of selling marijuana, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited products to Menifee juveniles was behind bars Wednesday.
Yurida Guerrero Valenzuela, 21, was arrested with her boyfriend, 22-year-old Kevin Dayon Ocegueda, both of San Jacinto, Tuesday following a Menifee Police Department investigation.
Valenzuela was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of selling narcotics and alcohol to minors. She’s being held on unspecified bail.
Ocegueda was booked into the Byrd Detention Center on the same allegations. However, he posted bond and was released within hours, according to jail records.
Police spokesman Chase Coburn said officers received information last month regarding underage youths communicating with a party via social media about where they could obtain “alcohol, nicotine vape pens, (cannabis) vape pens and mushrooms.”
The investigation ultimately pointed to Valenzuela as the suspect arranging the transactions, apparently from her residence, Coburn said.
An arrest warrant was obtained, and patrol officers made a traffic enforcement stop on the woman and Ocegueda as they drove through the intersection of East Main and South Hewitt streets in San Jacinto Tuesday afternoon.
Both were taken into custody without incident.
“A search of the vehicle revealed bags of nicotine and THC vape pens,” Coburn said. “Officers subsequently served a search warrant at Guerrero’s residence, where additional evidence was located.”
The police department said the case highlights the importance of parents or guardians staying vigilant when their children are communicating with people online.
Background information on the suspects was unavailable.