District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Javier Gomez (DOB 11/22/05), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced on May 26, 2026, to five years in state prison for a racially-motivated baseball bat attack on an African American man. Gomez previously pled guilty on April 27, 2026, to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon. He also admitted all aggravating factors and charged special allegations, including the gang allegation, hate crime allegation and causing great bodily injury.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crime Gangs Unit, prosecuted the case.

“This brutal, racially motivated attack was fueled by hate and carried out with shocking violence,” Ms. Moyer said. “Ventura County prosecutors will not tolerate gang-related violence or crimes targeting individuals because of their race. This sentence holds the defendant accountable and reflects the serious harm inflicted on the victim and our community.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Efran Esau Flores Alvarez (DOB 04/20/06), of Los Angeles, has been charged with nine felony counts of grand theft for allegedly participating in a series of catalytic converter thefts throughout Ventura County. Alvarez was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on May 21, 2026, and pled not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, pled guilty on May 20, 2026, to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas also admitted all special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon, the crime involving great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable, and strike priors.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Antonio Jimenez (DOB 01/08/94), of Oxnard, was arraigned on May 20, 2026, for the 2014 killing of Labh Nigah. Jimenez is charged with one count of murder and three special allegations: personally using a knife in the commission of the offense, that the killing involved great violence, and the victim was particularly vulnerable. He pled not guilty to all charges and special allegations.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mysti Lee Ary (DOB 01/29/77), of Bakersfield, has been held to answer on felony fleeing the scene of an accident causing permanent, serious injury for a June 15, 2025, accident along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On May 11, 2026, following a one-day preliminary hearing, the court found sufficient evidence to hold Ary to answer on the felony count.

Deputy District Attorney Jordan Pitcher, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, is prosecuting the case.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, whose life was permanently impacted by this incident,” said Mr. Pitcher. “Drivers have a responsibility to stop, render aid, and take accountability when someone is seriously injured on our roadways.”