The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is announcing today that it has concluded its review of the Balcom and Mountain Fires, finding no criminal liability for the October 30, 2024, and November 6, 2024, incidents.

“As prosecutors, we focus on the question of criminal responsibility, but we recognize that no legal finding can undo the profound loss suffered by so many in the Mountain Fire,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Our hearts go out to the residents whose homes, ranches, orchards and properties were damaged and destroyed, and their sense of security forever altered.”

VENTURA, Calif. –District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that two of the five juveniles involved in the August 1, 2025, Simi Valley movie theater assault, admitted to felony assault and hate crimes. One of the two juveniles also admitted his involvement in a criminal threat case that occurred at the same location on May 30, 2025.

VENTURA, Calif. –District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gabriel Torres (DOB 04/02/04), of Port Hueneme, was sentenced to 32 years in state prison for attempted murder. He was previously convicted by a jury on July 31, 2025. The jury also found true the special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the crime, as well as allegations that he inflicted great bodily injury, committed the offense with great violence, was armed with a weapon at the time of the offense, and engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Luis Meza Jr. (DOB 10/30/90), of Oxnard, was sentenced yesterday to 18 years 8 months in state prison for the sexual assault of a female truck driver. Meza Jr. pled guilty on September 29, 2025, to the felony charges of assault with intent to commit rape and forcible oral copulation. He also admitted several special allegations and aggravating factors, including the commission of a prior strike offense.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 22, 2025, a second amended complaint was filed against David Lane Braff, Jr. (DOB 05/28/82), of Thousand Oaks, alleging two additional victims. Braff now faces charges related to a total of 15 victims and 33 counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14. Today, Braff was arraigned and pled not guilty to the additional charges. Braff remains in custody at the Ventura County Jail without bail following the denial of Braff’s motion to have bail set.

One of the newly alleged victims is from Braff’s tenure at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, where he worked as a school counselor between 2015 and 2019. The other newly alleged victim is from his time at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles, where he worked from approximately November 2019 through December 2021.