Simi Valley Man Admits Arms, Drug Charges

A Simi Valley man pleaded guilty Friday to charges stemming from an attempt to sell undercover federal agents a powerful plastic explosive, firearms and drugs stored in a car in the parking lot of a Woodland Hills high school.

Under a plea bargain with prosecutors, John Robert Sargent, 32, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute PCP, conspiracy to sell firearms and possession of unregistered firearms.

Federal District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall set sentencing for May 4. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 55 years in federal prison and a $2.5-million fine, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Carolyn Turchin, the prosecutor on the case.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the government agreed to dismiss one count each of possession with intent to distribute PCP, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking offense and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Turchin said. Sargent has a prior felony conviction for armed robbery, she said.

Arrested at Restaurant

Sargent and Edward Steven Pajak, 37, were arrested the afternoon of Dec. 10, 1986, by federal agents and Los Angeles police detectives in the parking lot of a Denny’s restaurant across from Taft High School on Ventura Boulevard.

The arrests occurred after Sargent and Pajak offered to sell 15 pounds of plastic military explosives, two semi-automatic pistols with silencers and eight ounces of PCP to two undercover officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Turchin said the pair came to the attention of authorities when Dan Roman, a convenience store operator in Olancha, 160 miles northeast of Los Angeles, called an undercover federal agent in Reno and offered to sell him explosives and silencers. Roman then put the agents in touch with Sargent and Pajak, Turchin said.

After directing the officers to the Denny’s restaurant, Sargent took the two officers, one at a time, to view the drugs, guns and explosives in a car in the school parking lot. They were arrested after negotiating the sale price, Turchin said.

Firearms in Car

At the time of arrest, Pajak had three firearms in his car and Sargent had one in his pocket, Turchin said.

Concerned about the potential for explosion, authorities blocked off a quarter-mile stretch of Ventura Boulevard, several nearby streets and the exit and entry ramps of the Ventura Freeway for more than two hours during the rush hour. Police then removed the explosives without incident.

Trial for Pajak is to begin April 14 in Marshall’s court.

Roman, who earlier plead guilty to conspiracy to transfer firearms, is to be sentenced May 4.