Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko that strengthens wildfire prevention requirements during vegetation clearing operations and clarifies responsibility for complying with fire safety laws.

Assembly Bill 2075, authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett and sponsored by District Attorney Nasarenko, was introduced in response to the 2024 Mountain Fire in Ventura County. The Mountain Fire burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures after a smaller vegetation fire caused during a brush clearing effort reignited days later due to lingering hot debris.

AB 2075 establishes clear, consistent requirements for fire suppression equipment during vegetation clearing operations. The law requires basic firefighting tools, including shovels and fire extinguishers, to be attached to or carried in a motor vehicle while performing brush clearance. Workers on foot using power tools must also have a fire extinguisher within 25 feet and a sufficient number of shovels readily available.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78) pled guilty on September 30, 2026, to first-degree murder for the 1998 killing of Felipe Arambula in Ventura.

“I was glad to see the defendant take responsibility for his role in the murder of Felipe Arambula at an early stage in the proceedings,” Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick said. “The victim’s family has suffered so much since Mr. Arambula’s life was tragically taken from him in June 1998. This conviction won’t replace the time that the defendant and his conspirators stole from Mr. Arambula’s family, but I do hope it will bring them the peace they deserve.”

Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2026, to 25 years to life in state prison. He remains in custody without bail.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Brent William Bischoff (DOB 02/23/89), of Simi Valley, has been charged in two cases involving eight victims, with multiple human trafficking related charges. Across the two cases, Bischoff now faces seven felony counts of causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, six felony counts of pandering a minor 16 or older, one felony count of pandering a minor under 16, one felony count of pandering by encouraging, and seven misdemeanor counts of child annoyance. He is also charged with felony forgery involving a fictitious or altered bill, note or check.

“These charges involve the exploitation of children, and our office will do everything in its power to prosecute individuals who target vulnerable young people for commercial sex,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Parents and families should know that we are committed to protecting children and vigorously charging those who prey on them.”

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.