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Defendant

The District Attorney’s Office is prohibited by state law and the California State Bar Rules from providing legal assistance or advice to a defendant. The Public Defender provides legal assistance to individuals charged with a crime in state court who are financially unable to retain private counsel. You may retain private counsel to assist you. You may also contact the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office for advice about how to handle your felony warrant by calling (805) 654-2201 or visit their website at: https://publicdefender.venturacounty.gov/.

Consumer Related

Assistance from the Consumer Mediation Unit is available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To speak with a mediator in Ventura or Simi Valley, please call (805) 654-3110 (Ventura) or (805) 306-7930 (Simi Valley). You may also reach our Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit by calling (805) 662-1750.

Consumer Related

You should report this crime directly to your local law enforcement or police agency.The California Attorney General’s Office has a list of steps that can be taken if you are the victim of identity theft. You can get more information at their website: https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/victim-checklist.

Consumer Related

Our Consumer Mediation Unit attempts to resolve disputes between consumers and businesses. If you wish to speak with a mediator about your complaint, please call (805) 654-3110 (Ventura office) or (805) 306-7930 (East County office). Please read more about consumer mediation here.

Consumer Related

Unfortunately, internet scams are all too common. Many of these scams originate from overseas and are matters which cannot be effectively prosecuted by local prosecutors. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has been established to review all types of internet fraud schemes. This site is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center. You can file a complaint with IC3 at the following website: https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice.

Consumer Related

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides information to consumers on how to prevent unwanted telephone solicitations. You can get more information on the steps that can be taken to avoid these calls at their website: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams.

Consumer Related

The Better Business Bureau provides information about businesses and consumer complaints.

Consumer Related

If you have questions regarding a small claims matter, you may contact our Small Claims Advisors at the District Attorney’s Office in Ventura by calling (805) 654-5054. You may contact our Small Claims Advisor at the District Attorney’s East County Office by calling (805) 306-7930. Small Claims Advisors are available Monday through Friday 8:00-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Please read more about Small Claims Advisors here.

Image of Ventura County Superior Court building with headline: Ventura Man Charged with Felony Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud
News Releases

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Heriberto Baez (DOB 10/02/86), of Ventura, has been charged with two counts of felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud and one count of felony attempted perjury. Baez’s pled not guilty to all charges at today’s arraignment. He is scheduled for an early disposition conference on June 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains out of custody on his own recognizance.

Ventura County District Attorney's Office news release graphic with image of the defendant, Jesus Gonzalez-Arteaga. Headline: Oxnard Man Convicted of Molestation and Rape of a Child
News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jesus Gonzalez-Arteaga (DOB 05/13/81), of Oxnard, was convicted on April 9, 2026, of six felony counts related to the molestation and rape of a child. The jury found Gonzalez-Arteaga guilty of continuous sexual abuse, three counts of unlawful acts with a child 10 years and under, forcible rape, and possession of child sexual abuse material. All special allegations and aggravating circumstances were found true, including that he inflicted great bodily injury during the commission of forcible rape. This aggravating circumstance makes Gonzalez-Arteaga’s sentence mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP). Senior Deputy District Attorney Twyla Atmore, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case. “The defendant committed the ultimate betrayal of a child he was supposed to protect,” Ms. Atmore said. “Although the victim will likely suffer with the memories of…

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