The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Jonah Slatky (DOB 04/19/72), of Somis, has been charged with six counts of felony workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud, with an alleged loss of approximately $519,000. The complaint further alleges a special enhancement for losses exceeding $100,000, as well as aggravating factors including that the crime involved both attempted and actual taking, and was carried out with planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

The case was investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Joann Roth.

If convicted, Slatky faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison. The enhancement, if found true, makes a prison sentence mandatory.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Zuberi Kalaikulokahiokalani Sharp (DOB 03/26/00), of Newbury Park, pled guilty on March 30, 2026, to second-degree murder in the killing of his 15-year-old half-brother, Zayde. Sharp also admitted the special allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury and the aggravating factors of using a weapon to commit the crime and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy for a family that has already endured so much,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said. “While nothing can undo the loss of Zayde, this resolution spares his loved ones from having to relive these horrific events through a lengthy and painful jury trial.”

Sharp is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail and faces 15 years to life in state prison.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Coalition for Family Harmony will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 6, 2026, to mark the opening of a new domestic violence shelter at the Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC). This critical expansion adds 10 shelter spaces and provides a 15-to 20-day safe housing option for survivors, located just steps from the comprehensive, trauma-informed services available at the FJC.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that William Justin Koznar (DOB 04/27/88), of Moorpark, has pled guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter for the death of Sara Marie Goodwin. The change of plea hearing was held on March 24, 2026. Koznar also admitted to the special allegations of the crime involving great violence and the victim was particularly vulnerable. Koznar agreed to the stipulated sentence of 11 years in state prison in exchange for his guilty plea.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the filing of felony charges against Yanwen Gu (DOB 03/20/86) of Rosemead, CA, and Shaohua Sun (DOB 08/20/86) of Monterey Park, CA. Gu and Sun have been charged with multiple felonies including conspiracy to commit grand theft and attempted grand theft for their alleged roles in an elder fraud scheme. Gu and Sun were arraigned on March 23, 2026, and pleaded not guilty.

Gu and Sun are scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 2, 2026, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Both Gu and Sun are currently in custody on $500,000 bail. The court also granted a motion to examine any source of bail tendered on behalf of the defendants to ensure it did not come from alleged criminal proceeds.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum of the Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit. If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of this fraud or a similar scam, please contact District Attorney Investigator Eric Jensen at (805) 662-1750.