NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christian Octavio Arreola (DOB 01/16/94), of Port Hueneme, has been charged with multiple felonies stemming ...from a violent attack on a Port Hueneme police officer earlier this month.
Arreola is charged with attempted murder, assault upon a peace officer, battery with injury on a peace officer, and resisting an executive officer. The complaint further alleges that the crime involved great violence, that Arreola was armed with and used a weapon, and includes a special allegation related to the attempted murder of a peace officer.
“This was an attack on a police officer who was responding to a mental health crisis and attempting to protect both the individual involved and the community,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated, and my office will aggressively prosecute those who commit these dangerous crimes.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3M0PvNV
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ida Veronica Hernandez (DOB 06/27/80) pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026, to seven felony counts of grand theft ...and one felony count of filing a false or forged document, arising from an extensive embezzlement scheme committed while she was employed as a bookkeeper for a Thousand Oaks medical practice. Hernandez also admitted a special allegation that the losses exceeded $100,000.
Between 2020 and 2021, Hernandez was entrusted with access to company bank accounts and financial records in her role as office manager and bookkeeper. Instead of using that access for legitimate business purposes, Hernandez transferred large sums of the business’s money into bank accounts controlled by herself and her relatives. Investigators determined that Hernandez used multiple aliases and created fictitious employees to conceal the thefts, directing payroll payments to accounts she controlled. Hernandez stole at least $556,000 from the business.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3NGNYgs
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Trinidad Bueno Garcia (DOB 02/11/75), of Van Nuys, was sentenced on January 21, 2026, to 15 years in state ...prison for leading a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation impacting Ventura County.
Garcia previously pled guilty to conspiracy to possess fentanyl for sale. At the time of his plea, Garcia admitted that the offense involved more than four kilograms of fentanyl, triggering a significant weight enhancement. He also admitted that the crime involved a large quantity of contraband and was carried out with planning, sophistication, and professionalism.
“This defendant led a drug trafficking organization responsible for moving an enormous amount of fentanyl into our community, putting countless lives at risk,” narcotics prosecutor Devin Mirchi said. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that fentanyl trafficking will be met with significant consequences in Ventura County.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3LNZs1d
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that four members of a sophisticated burglary crew have pled guilty to charges stemming from a coordinated commercial... burglary that occurred on May 25, 2025, at 5-Star Jewelry and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop in Simi Valley, resulting in losses exceeding $2 million.
“This was not a crime of opportunity,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “These defendants planned carefully, conducted surveillance, and used specialized tools and techniques to carry out a highly sophisticated burglary that caused enormous financial harm. Their guilty pleas ensure accountability and reflect the strength of the evidence in this case.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4jS276p
NEWS RELEASE:
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Lee Wieser (DOB 08/26/80), of Oak View, was sentenced to six years in state prison for three felony domestic ...violence charges. A jury previously convicted Wieser on September 22, 2025, of inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant, attempted aggravated mayhem, and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
“This conviction reflects the victim’s remarkable courage and resilience in coming forward, cooperating with the prosecution, and testifying at trial,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Emily Reber, who prosecuted the case. “The victim’s strength and bravery were essential to holding the defendant accountable for his acts of violence.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3YTXfEn
We’re hiring experienced Investigators to join the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Investigators play a critical role in seeking justice and protecting our ...community. These positions work complex criminal, civil, and special investigations in partnership with prosecutors and law enforcement agencies across the county.
Duties include conducting investigations, interviews, surveillance, and crime scene work; gathering and analyzing evidence; preparing reports; assisting attorneys in court and Grand Jury proceedings; serving subpoenas and warrants; testifying in court; and coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Investigator II assignments may include leading more complex and high-level investigations.
If you are an experienced investigator looking to apply your skills to meaningful, high-impact work, we encourage you to apply.
Visit link for qualifications, details, and how to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura/jobs/5127993/district-attorney-investigator-i-ii?department%5B0%5D=District%20Attorney&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and his enduring call to justice, fairness, and moral courage.
“The time is always right to do what is ...right.” Those words resonate deeply with the work of the District Attorney’s Office. Every day, our responsibility is to uphold the rule of law with integrity, to seek justice with fairness, and to stand for accountability in service to our community.
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that temporary staffing agency Man Staffing, LLC will pay $650,000 in civil penalties and restitution for failing to ...carry workers’ compensation insurance for its temporary employees from at least 2017 through 2023.
“Man Staffing’s refusal to obtain workers’ compensation insurance from licensed insurers shows a blatant disregard for worker safety and a willingness to gain an unfair advantage over other staffing companies that follow the law,” District Attorney Nasarenko said.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4sGavdv
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gary Steven Daniel II (DOB 09/21/78), of Oxnard, pleaded guilty on January 15, 2026, in two cases involving his ...possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These convictions included admissions that he had previously been convicted of possessing CSAM, was a California sexual offender registrant, and had been released on bail when the second crime occurred. In total, Daniel pleaded guilty to three felony counts of possession or control of CSAM.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4jHdD4y