In a joint news conference held on January 18, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Sheriff Jim Fryhoff discuss the murder of Jose Velasquez and the 11 felony charges filed against Rotherie Foster for the crime.
News Releases
-
Los Angeles Man Charged in Series of Catalytic Converter Thefts
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… Read More
-
Simi Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Girlfriend
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… Read More
-
Oxnard Man Arraigned for 2014 Park Stabbing Murder
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… Read More
-
Bakersfield Woman Held to Answer in Hit-and-Run on Pacific Coast Highway
The Ventura County District Attorneyโs 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… Read More
-
Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Surpasses 2,000 Kits Tested
After years of coordinated investigative and forensic work, the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) has now tested more than 2,000 sexual assault kits from agencies throughout Ventura County. To date, 2,038 sexual assault kits have been tested from an inventory of 2,846 kits countywide dating back to the 1970s. While many of these… Read More
-
Moorpark Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Incest & Providing Alcohol to Minor
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Stephen Vincent Chavez (01/17/85), of Moorpark, pled guilty to felony incest and misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor. He also admitted he took advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Chavez advanced his previously scheduled court date to plead guilty.… Read More
-
Convicted Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison without Parole for Santa Paula Double-Murder & Separate Shooting
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today thatย Kristian Fonseca (DOB 10/07/98) has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 114 years to life for two first-degree murders and other crimes. A jury found Fonseca guilty on March 20, 2026, of killing Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga. Fonseca was also… Read More
Video Gallery
-
Ventura County District Attorney and Sheriff Joint Press Conference January 18, 2023
-
Family Justice Center Restraining Order Workshop
The Ventura County Family Justice Center is holding a new restraining order workshop for those in need. Demand for this service has skyrocketed during the pandemic years. The workshops will be three days a week. Two days in English and one day in Spanish.
If you need help or information between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, call us at (805) 652-7655, text us at (805) 947-7981, or email vcfjc.coop@venturacounty.gov.
-
Centro de Justicia Familiar – Taller de รณrdenes de restricciรณn contra la Violencia Domรฉstica
El Centro de Justicia Familiar del Condado de Ventura estรก organizando un nuevo taller sobre รณrdenes de restricciรณn para los necesitados. La demanda de este servicio se ha disparado durante los aรฑos de la pandemia. Los talleres serรกn tres dรญas a la semana. Dos dรญas en Inglรฉs y un dรญa en Espaรฑol.
Si necesita ayuda o informaciรณn entre las 8:00 am y las 5:00 pm, de lunes a viernes, llรกmenos al (805) 652-7655, envรญenos un mensaje de texto al (805) 947-7981 o envรญe un correo electrรณnico a vcfjc.coop@venturacounty.gov.
Notable Cases
-
Former School Counselor Held to Answer on All Charges in Child Molestation Case Involving 15 Victims
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Lane Braff Jr. (DOB 05/28/82), of Thousand Oaks, has been held to answer on all charges following a preliminary hearing in Ventura County Superior Court. The judge found sufficient evidence for Braff to stand trial on 33 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14,…
-
Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for 2014 Park Stabbing
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on April 6, 2026, that Jose Antonio Jimenez (DOB 01/08/94), of Oxnard, has been charged with murder for the 2014 killing of Labh Nigah. Jimenez made an appearance in court and had his arraignment continued to April 28, 2026. โThis was an ambush and a brutal crime committed…
-
Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodney Rey Yanez (DOB 03/11/69), of Oxnard, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Dylan Rusch. This marks the first time the Ventura County District Attorneyโs Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug, fentanyl, to a victim who overdosed…
Public Reports
-
January 28, 2026
The Public Integrity Unit of the Ventura County District Attorneyโs Office has completedits review of the July 24, 2025, in-custody death of Mauricio Mateo Cuevas.
-
November 7, 2024
Report on the April 7, 2023, shooting of Cristian Baltazar-Torres by Oxnard Police Officer Jarrod Sheffield.
-
May 28, 2024
Report on the March 12, 2023, shooting of Adam Barcenas by Oxnard Police Department Officer Shayn Schwartz.