Man Arrested in Cable TV Inquiry

Oxnard police have arrested a Camarillo man on suspicion of conspiring to illegally modify and sell cable converter boxes.

Eric Johnson, 35, was arrested Thursday after a monthlong investigation that included a sting operation by police and culminated in a raid on the man’s home-based electronics repair business.

“We purchased one in an undercover capacity for $170,” said Det. Roger Whitney, adding that two other illegally modified converters were discovered during the raid on the Fir Street home. “There were 40 in the house--we just haven’t been able to check them all.”

The size of the operation is difficult to gauge, although Johnson has operated his business for about three years, Whitney said. More arrests are possible, he said.

Modified cable boxes allow the reception of pay television channels for free.

The investigation is part of a continuing effort by police and cable television companies to crack down on people who steal cable services.

Jones Intercable--which provides cable services in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and El Rio and aided in the investigation in Johnson’s case--has conducted a technical audit of its system since March.

So far investigators have discovered 81 illegal cable boxes during inspections of more than 900 homes, General Manager Steve Naber said. Another 2,000 possible cable service thefts are under investigation.

Cable theft is a criminal offense punishable by up to 16 years in prison, he said. Civil judgments have run as high as $3.9 million with the company seeking a minimum of $5,000 in each case locally, Naber said.