Category Archives: News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Yanci Mcclay Dakin (DOB 04/26/80), of Ventura, was convicted by a jury of four felony counts stemming from a domestic violence attack on his girlfriend. Dakin was found guilty of inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant, assault with a firearm, criminal threats, and discharging of a firearm with gross negligence. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were found to be true, including that Dakin had a previous conviction for causing corporal injury, was armed with and used a weapon, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and that this was his third strike. “The brutality of this defendant’s violence and the fear he inflicted on the women in his life are difficult to overstate,” Deputy District Attorney Darian Cohen said. “The extraordinary courage of the victim and the two additional survivors who came forward ensured that the defendant has been held accountable.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ronald Wilson (DOB 10/23/52), of Timnath, Colorado, has been held to answer on 11 felony counts filed against him following a two-day preliminary hearing in Ventura County Superior Court. Wilson is accused of sexually assaulting four students while working at local high schools. He is charged with oral copulation of a person under 18, sodomy of a person under 18, two counts of sexual penetration with force, two counts of lewd acts upon a child, sodomy, forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, luring, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Wilson also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that he took advantage of a position of trust and that the victims were particularly vulnerable. The charges stem from allegations dating back to Wilson’s time as a teacher and wrestling coach at Oxnard High School in the 1990s and as recently…

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Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Jon McAulay (DOB 11/11/75), of Ventura, has been charged with two felony counts related to his alleged possession of artificial intelligence (AI) generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). McAulay faces one count of possession of obscene child sexual abuse material and one count of possession of child pornography for commercial consideration.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Anthony Casten (DOB 07/26/86), of Moorpark, has been charged with a hate crime for his actions targeting members of the Masjid Omar Muhammad Mosque in Moorpark. Casten is charged with one felony count of a violation of civil rights and one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace by challenging to fight. He made his first court appearance for arraignment on October 8, 2026, and pled not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, was sentenced to 365 days in Ventura County Jail, over the objection by prosecutors. Reb previously pled guilty on August 28, 2026, to two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb also admitted the special allegation that the crime is a serious felony. “A one-year county jail sentence for taking the lives of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez is inconsistent with the gross negligence of the crime,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Nuñez. “The defendant was driving nearly twice the posted speed limit, and two people lost their lives as a result. Our office sought a state prison sentence that reflected the gravity of these crimes and the devastating impact on the victims’ family.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Pedro Munoz (DOB 07/01/83), of Ventura, pled guilty on October 5, 2026, to the first-degree murder of Marcos Guzman Reyes. Munoz also admitted several special allegations and factors in aggravation, including the use of a deadly weapon, the crime involving great violence and that he was on parole at the time he committed the murder.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Khambray Antoine Holloway (DOB 04/26/92), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on September 30, 2026, of filing a false or forged document to steal ownership of an Oxnard home. “This case was about trying to take a $4.8 million home with a few pieces of paper,” Deputy District Attorney Meighann Mahoney said. “The defendant claimed an ownership interest he did not have and then used it in a deed. This conviction recognizes the importance of protecting the integrity of our public records and holding people accountable when they knowingly use false information to try to obtain someone else’s property.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko that strengthens wildfire prevention requirements during vegetation clearing operations and clarifies responsibility for complying with fire safety laws. Assembly Bill 2075, authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett and sponsored by District Attorney Nasarenko, was introduced in response to the 2024 Mountain Fire in Ventura County. The Mountain Fire burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures after a smaller vegetation fire caused during a brush clearing effort reignited days later due to lingering hot debris. AB 2075 establishes clear, consistent requirements for fire suppression equipment during vegetation clearing operations. The law requires basic firefighting tools, including shovels and fire extinguishers, to be attached to or carried in a motor vehicle while performing brush clearance. Workers on foot using power tools must also have a fire extinguisher within 25 feet and a sufficient number of shovels readily…

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Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78) pled guilty on September 30, 2026, to first-degree murder for the 1998 killing of Felipe Arambula in Ventura. “I was glad to see the defendant take responsibility for his role in the murder of Felipe Arambula at an early stage in the proceedings,” Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick said. “The victim’s family has suffered so much since Mr. Arambula’s life was tragically taken from him in June 1998. This conviction won’t replace the time that the defendant and his conspirators stole from Mr. Arambula’s family, but I do hope it will bring them the peace they deserve.” Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2026, to 25 years to life in state prison. He remains in custody without bail.