A man involved in a 2024 barricade incident that prompted a massive law enforcement response to a ranch west of Moorpark has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison, according to Ventura County Superior Court records.
William Boer, 63, was convicted of assault with a firearm and possessing explosives, court records show.
On Sept. 10, 2024, an hourslong standoff unfolded around 10:30 a.m., when Boer’s estranged wife reportedly returned to their ranch home in the 4200 block of Ventavo Road to find that he had turned on the gas stove and several propane tanks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman told officers that she fled when Boer allegedly tried to ignite a lighter and that she thought she heard several gunshots as she left.
Boer then barricaded himself in the home, according to the sheriff’s office.
Several workers in other buildings on the property, along with farmworkers, were evacuated.
The response included SWAT teams, helicopters, drones, K-9 police dogs and a bomb squad, and sheriff’s tactical negotiators spent hours communicating with Boer.
Around 7 p.m., Boer allegedly fired rounds at officers positioned outside his residence before surrendering an hour later, according to the sheriff’s office.
No one was injured, the agency stated.
Boer was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and initially charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of possessing explosives and one count of attempting to set fire to a structure, according to previous reporting.
Court records show he pleaded not guilty to the original charges but then pleaded guilty June 29 to assault with a firearm and possessing explosives. He also admitted to the special allegations that he used a firearm and that the crime was carried out with planning, sophistication or professionalism.
During the sentencing, Judge Dusty Kawai dismissed the remaining charges, court records indicate.
The Ventura County Probation Agency denied Boer’s application for probation, according to the docket.
Kawai ordered Boer to pay restitution and not contact the victim and recommended that he participate in substance abuse counseling or education, court records show.
Boer, who has 790 days of credit for time served in custody, will be transported to Wasco State Prison, according to the docket.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Moorpark man gets 10 years in prison for 2024 barricade incident
