The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

Fred Miramontes

Sheriff-Coroner-Marshal

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit was called to investigate an Ag theft involving fertilizer stolen from Abatti Farms. Through the conducted investigation, investigators were able to identify a suspect by the name of Louis Enrique Vega Castaneda, a 45-year old male from Brawley, California. Investigators located (2) 33-gallon containers of liquid fertilizer, (8) bags of alfalfa seed, and over a dozen containers of pesticide and insecticide chemicals. The combined total value for all these items is estimated to be over $25,000. Castaneda was arrested and booked into the Imperial County Jail for California Penal Code Sections 487(a) and 496(a), where he is being held on $10,000 bail.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office by contacting Investigator Verdugo at (442) 265-2050.