Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Derek Hansen Skinner (DOB 02/20/92), of Santa Paula, has been held to answer by a Ventura County Superior Court judge for a DUI crash that injured his passenger and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer. Skinner is charged with DUI of an alcoholic beverage causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher and causing injury. He is also charged with special allegations of causing great bodily injury (GBI) in commission of a felony and causing injury to more than one victim.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that George James Salas (DOB 12/03/96), of Simi Valley, has been charged with the second-degree murder of his 11-month-old child Ariya, who died from fentanyl intoxication. Salas is also charged with one count of child abuse resulting in death, and additional drug related charges. Salas faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including the crime involving great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable and a strike prior.

Karina Lucia Yanes (DOB 02/01/96), of Simi Valley, is also charged in Ariya’s death. Yanes faces one felony count of child abuse with the special allegations of resulting in death of the child, the crime involving great violence and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“An 11-month-old child lost her life because she was allegedly exposed to a lethal amount of this synthetic drug,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said.  “We have a duty as prosecutors to hold her parents responsible for this completely avoidable and tragic death.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaden Joseph Pullen (DOB 01/30/98), of Ojai, changed his plea today in a case where he is charged with five sexual assault felonies against two victims. Pullen pled guilty to two counts of forcible rape, one count each of forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14, oral copulation of a person under 18, and unlawful sexual intercourse. He also admitted to the aggravating circumstance of engaging in violent conduct.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office joined a statewide enforcement action resulting in a $3.15 million settlement with Terminix International Inc. and Rentokil North America Inc. (collectively Terminix). The settlement, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, resolves allegations involving the improper handling and disposal of pesticide and hazardous waste, as well as the improper disposal of customer records containing personal information.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that former Los Angeles Police Department detective and convicted rapist Michael Douglas Brambles (DOB 11/27/48), of Santa Maria, pleaded not guilty on September 11, 2026, in connection with the 1994 kidnapping for robbery of a Thousand Oaks business owner. Brambles is charged with kidnapping to commit robbery while personally using a firearm. The complaint also alleges several aggravating circumstances, including that the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication or professionalism, and that Brambles engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society.