Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Eber Bonilla Lopez (DOB 02/20/86), of Pomona, CA, was convicted by a jury on November 6, 2026, of all 27 felony counts he faced for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar organized retail theft conspiracy. The jury found Bonilla Lopez guilty of 13 counts of organized retail theft, three counts of grand theft, three counts of receiving stolen property valued over $950, and eight counts of conspiracy to commit a crime. Jurors also found true special allegations that the thefts were committed in concert and that Ventura County had jurisdiction to prosecute the offenses.

“This conviction is a significant step toward holding accountable those responsible for a sophisticated criminal enterprise that caused millions of dollars in losses to businesses across Southern California,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Organized retail theft is not a victimless crime. These operations hurt businesses, impact employees and ultimately drive-up costs for consumers. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal networks and ensure those responsible face consequences.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Brandon Ross, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Organized Retail Theft Unit, prosecuted the case.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a minor has been charged with three felony counts in juvenile court for the near-fatal shooting at Five Guys in Oxnard where an innocent bystander was wounded. The 17-year-old is charged with shooting at an occupied building, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and buying or receiving a firearm against a court order. The teenager also faces two special allegations for intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and personally using a firearm. He was arraigned in juvenile court and denied all charges.

The minor was 16 years old at the time of the alleged offense. Prosecutors filed a motion to transfer this case from the juvenile court to the adult court.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ivar Laegreid (DOB 06/27/58), of Oxnard, was sentenced on November 5, 2026, to six years four months in state prison. Prosecutors were asking for 12 years eight months in prison. Laegreid was previously convicted by a jury on October 8, 2026, of seven felony counts related to drugs sales and his possession of a ghost gun.

Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The defendant brought large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine into Ventura County and sold them while armed with a ghost gun,” Mr. Mirchi said. “We are glad the defendant has been held accountable for the danger he posed to our community.”

Governor Newsom’s decision to commute existing death sentences in California directly impacts the families of 15 victims in Ventura County. These were the most heinous and horrific crimes in our county over the past fifty years, and the victims’ families have endured unimaginable loss, grief and suffering.

These death sentences were imposed after a jury carefully considered the evidence, facts and circumstances of each individual case. They represent years of courtroom proceedings, appeals and judicial review.

Life without the possibility of parole is a severe punishment, but it was not the sentence determined in a courtroom for these 15 cases, and it replaces the decision-making authority of the judge and jury with gubernatorial discretion. That is what the California Constitution allows, but our responsibility as prosecutors is to seek justice, stand with victims and their families and uphold the rule of law and will of the voters. As the California Supreme Court reviews many of these commuted sentences, I encourage the justices to carefully evaluate each eligible case and reach its own independent decision. 

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Pedro Ocampo Alvarez (DOB 06/29/68), of Oxnard, was convicted on November 4, 2026, of 11 felony counts of child molestation. Alvarez waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a court trial conducted by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Paul Feldman. Judge Feldman found Alvarez guilty of four counts of lewd acts upon a child, three counts of using a child for sex acts, two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child 10 years old and under, and one count each of oral copulation with a child 10 years and under and possession of child pornography. The special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victim being particularly vulnerable were found to be true.

Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“I am deeply grateful to the victim for her bravery and strength throughout this process,” Ms. McCarty said. “Coming forward and participating in the pursuit of justice takes tremendous courage and I hope this conviction brings her closure and the justice she so rightfully deserves.”