Legislation Created and Co-Sponsored in 2024
Assembly Bill 1779 – Combats Organized Retail Theft This crucial legislation, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and signed by Governor Newsom on August 16, 2024, strengthens California’s ability to combat organized retail theft, a growing concern for business owners and communities across the state. “Organized retail theft is not just a financial crime but a threat to the safety of our communities,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “With the passage of AB 1779, we now have a powerful tool to hold these criminals accountable for crimes against Ventura County businesses, even when their schemes involve crimes in other counties.” Assembly Bill 1831 – Outlaws AI-Generated CSAM Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1831, strengthening laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content. Authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman and co-sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, AB 1831 addresses the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology capable of creating…
In The Courtroom
Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Marks the first time the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug. Thousand Oaks Man Sentenced to 50-plus years to life for Murder, Torture Saul Nava was previously convicted by a jury of nine felony counts including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, and the torture and kidnapping of a previous girlfriend who survived his abuse. Suspected Serial Killer Charged with 1977 Murders Investigators from the Ventura County Cold Case Unit arrested Warren Luther Alexander, of Diamondhead, Mississippi, on three counts of murder, related to a series of strangulation murders that occurred in 1977. Woodland Hills Man Sentenced for Serial Assaults on Hikers & Sleeping Victims Edgar Rodriguez Ruelas (DOB 03/24/82), of Woodland Hills, was sentenced on June 5, 2024, to 32 years to life…
November 7, 2024
Report on the April 7, 2023, shooting of Cristian Baltazar-Torres by Oxnard Police Officer Jarrod Sheffield.
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 Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug, fentanyl, to a victim who overdosed and died. Yanez is also charged with an additional nine felonies and four misdemeanors related to his alleged drug possession and sale activity. “The filing of murder charges in a fentanyl overdose case underscores the grave responsibility we have to protect our community from the devastating impact of this deadly drug,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “We are committed to seeking justice for victims and holding accountable those who provide this poison.” Yanez made his first court appearance today and his arraignment was continued to August 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura…
Bureau of Investigation
Senate Bill 978 (Bradford) was approved by Governor Brown on September 30, 2018. This legislation requires POST and local law enforcement agencies to conspicuously post on their websites “all current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials that would otherwise be available to the public” if a request was made pursuant to the California Public Records Act, located in Government Code §§ 6250 et seq. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2020. (See Penal Code § 13650.) Click here to view the full Bureau of Investigation Policy
May 28, 2024
Report on the March 12, 2023, shooting of Adam Barcenas by Oxnard Police Department Officer Shayn Schwartz.