Transient Stabbed to Death in Lemon Orchard

OXNARD —  A 33-year-old transient was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of fatally stabbing another transient during a fight in a lemon orchard, authorities said.

Dean Bosworth was taken into custody shortly after the incident occurred near Victoria Avenue and Gonzales Road about 5:45 p.m., said Sheriff’s Sgt. Chuck Buttell.

The victim’s name was withheld pending notification of next of kin, Buttell said.

Authorities said Bosworth walked to a pay phone at a nearby berry stand and called 911 to report the stabbing. He waited for deputies to arrive and led them to a dirt access road where the victim was found.

At the scene, which is an unincorporated area west of the new Oxnard High School, deputies recovered two items, one of which may have been used to stab the victim. Buttell would not identify the items.

Deputies were waiting Sunday night for a search warrant to investigate personal belongings and other items found at the scene.

Buttell said it appears both men were living in a small encampment in the orchard.

The cause of the argument is under investigation but alcohol does not appear to be a factor, Buttell said.