Ventura County District Attorney
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Ventura County District Attorney’s Office

Erik Nasarenko was elected Ventura County District Attorney on June 7, 2022, after his unanimous appointment by the Board of Supervisors the prior year. As the County’s top prosecutor overseeing more than 100 deputy district attorneys and 58 sworn investigators, Erik has initiated specialized efforts to prosecute fentanyl-based crimes, analyze untested rape kits, dismantle theft rings, and expand services to crime victims.


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Latest News Releases

  • Three Juveniles Remanded to Juvenile Facility in Simi Valley Hate Crime Assault Case

    Three Juveniles Remanded to Juvenile Facility in Simi Valley Hate Crime Assault Case

    Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that three juveniles charged with hate crime allegations in connection with the August 1, 2025, Simi Valley movie theater parking lot assault have been remanded into the Juvenile Facility following detention hearings held on October 15 and October 16, 2025. The three minors also pled not guilty to all charges.

    Prosecutors argued for detention, supported by reports from the Ventura County Probation Department recommending the minors be detained. The court ordered all three to be remanded to the Juvenile Facility. Their pre-trial conference is scheduled for October 29, 2025, and their contest is set for November 3, 2025.

    October 16, 2025
  • Governor Signs AB 1344 into Law, Empowering District Attorneys to Seek Gun Violence Restraining Orders

    Governor Signs AB 1344 into Law, Empowering District Attorneys to Seek Gun Violence Restraining Orders

    On Friday October 10, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1344, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, officially enacting a pilot program that allows district attorneys in select counties to directly petition the courts for Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), also known as “Red Flag Laws.”

    “This is a significant law for community safety,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Prosecutors are uniquely positioned and qualified to seek these restraining orders to prevent gun violence, and I thank Assemblymember Irwin for championing this much-needed legislation.”

    October 13, 2025
  • Felony Assault and Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Juveniles in Simi Valley

    Felony Assault and Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Juveniles in Simi Valley

    Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that five juveniles have been charged for their actions during an assault in a Simi Valley movie theater parking lot on August 1, 2025. The alleged assaults include three separate victims.

    Two of the teens are also charged for another altercation in the same parking lot on May 30, 2025.

    Three of the juveniles have been charged with felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with the special allegation of a hate crime for each one. A fourth juvenile faces felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, as well as misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery. The fifth juvenile is charged with misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery.

    October 3, 2025
  • Convicted Gunman Who Terrorized Thousand Oaks Family Now Serving 5 Years

    Convicted Gunman Who Terrorized Thousand Oaks Family Now Serving 5 Years

    Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that convicted felon Michael Gabriel Hosey (DOB 10/01/75), of Los Angeles, was sentenced to five years in state prison after violating the terms of his parole. On October 1, the court finalized the terms of the sentence. Judge Kristi Peariso imposed the previously suspended sentence after Hosey tested positive for illegal drugs.

    Hosey was originally sentenced on April 25, 2025, to 365 days in county jail and three years of formal probation for a terrifying armed home invasion and a separate vandalism spree. At that time, the judge suspended a five-year, eight-month state prison sentence and imposed local jail time with probation.

    “This dangerous individual is now where he belongs, state prison,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “A woman and her teenage daughter fled upstairs in their home to escape multiple gunshots, which sowed fear and terror in the household. This criminal conduct demands the consequence of state prison.”

    October 2, 2025
  • Camarillo Man Convicted of Embezzlement from Aviation Business

    Camarillo Man Convicted of Embezzlement from Aviation Business

    Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that James Matthew Godsey (DOB 03/11/79), of Camarillo, was convicted by a jury of six felony counts of grand theft. The jury also found true all charged special allegations, including that Godsey caused an excessive loss of over $100,000 and that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the crimes.

    From 2015 to 2023, Godsey worked as a bookkeeper for Channel Islands Aviation, where he was responsible for processing payroll and handling accounts payable. Between 2017 and 2023, evidence showed that he repeatedly inflated his own pay by adding unauthorized bonuses and extra wages. He also issued himself phony reimbursements for company expenses. Over six years, Godsey stole over $527,000 from his employer.

    September 29, 2025

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    Ventura County District Attorney's Office1 day ago
    Celia Laguna is a Victim Advocate at the Family Justice Center who facilitates the Domestic Violence Restraining order workshops, support group for victims of domestic violence and trauma informed follow ups for long term support with a focus on referrals to mental health services.

    Celia is also a host for a local radio station “Radio Indigena 94.1 FM” that is on Tuesdays from 8am-10am, where she invites community agencies to speak and provide resources on topics on prevention and education. The program is called “Familia Unida- United Family” and it covers topics such as Domestic Violence, parenting topics, marriage and healthy relationships and other important issues.

    Celia is from Mexico, where she completed her social work credentials and came to the U.S. where she studied Spanish and then worked for the Coalition for Family harmony, where she served for 21 years providing crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is an advocate for our Hispanic communities and volunteers her time helping in any way she can.
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    Ventura County District Attorney's Office2 days ago
    💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

    Today, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation recognizing the month and reaffirming the county’s commitment to supporting survivors and ending domestic violence.

    Chief Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker spoke on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office and our Victim Services Division, paying tribute to the incredible victim advocates who assist survivors every day. He also acknowledged the difficult times we live in and the fear some victims feel when deciding whether to come forward.

    To all those affected by domestic violence — you are not alone. Help is available.

    Call the Family Justice Center at (805) 652-7655, text at (805) 947-7981, or email vcfjc.coop@venturacounty.gov.

    Ventura County Family Justice Center
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