Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Francisco Garcia (DOB 10/07/68), of Oxnard, has been convicted by a jury of second-degree murder for the DUI crash that killed Elicia Lopez-Hernandez in 2018. The jury also found Garcia guilty of two felony DUI counts that resulted in great bodily injury to another victim, and felony fleeing the scene of an accident after causing serious injury. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including the crime involved great violence, the victim was vulnerable, and Garcia engaged in violent conduct.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews prosecuted the case.

“The jury’s verdict today recognizes the devastating consequences of the defendant’s actions,” Mr. Andrews said. “The defendant took the life of a woman who only sought to help others, grievously injured another good Samaritan, then he fled rather than face what he did. After a long and challenging process, these convictions bring a measure of closure to the victim’s family. It also sends a clear message: repeated acts of drinking and driving can be deadly. This conviction enhances public safety for our Ventura County community.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, has been charged with two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb also faces a special allegation that the crime is a serious felony.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Curtis Frank Lemons (DOB 12/31/56), currently living in Atoka, Tennessee, but formerly from Camarillo, was sentenced to two years in state prison for misappropriating $200,000 from an Oxnard church. Lemons previously pleaded guilty on April 4, 2025, to three felony counts: two for grand theft and one for money laundering.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Hurtado (DOB 03/30/93), of Santa Paula, pled guilty on June 16, 2025, to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms. Hurtado changed his plea just ahead of trial, admitting to one count of cruelty to an animal and possession of a hard drug. He also admitted to all special allegations and aggravating factors including a prior strike and that the sea lion was vulnerable.

“Ventura County was outraged by the violence this defendant inflicted on a defenseless animal,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “The nature of this senseless attack shocked our conscience and called for aggressive prosecution.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Hector Murrillo (DOB 10/14/95), of Oxnard, pled guilty on June 12, 2025, to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud.

Murrillo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater. The District Attorney’s Office will be seeking restitution on behalf of Progressive Insurance.