This week, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko joined the Conejo Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their Christmas gathering. Thank you to Regent Lisa Lambert and First Vice... Regent Michelle Stovall for having us.
The Conejo Valley Chapter of DAR promotes patriotism, preserves American history, and supports education for local students, veteran services, and active-duty personnel.
The chapter is one of the largest in California, with members from communities across Ventura and Northern Los Angeles counties.
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County Superior Court has approved a stipulated judgment resolving violations committed by Born to ...Be Free, Inc., an animal sanctuary operating in Frazier Park, for the unpermitted possession of multiple restricted species. The judgment imposes a permanent injunction, civil penalties, and reimbursement of investigative costs to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
“This judgment reinforces the importance of California’s restricted species requirements and the responsibility that comes with caring for exotic animals,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Our office is grateful for the partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and for the thorough work that led to this resolution.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3Xu8JxM
Join our team!
Apply today: ...https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura/jobs/5145129/victim-advocate-i-ii-iii-bilingual-preferred?department[0]=District%20Attorney&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. We’re grateful for our community and the privilege of serving you every day.
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Cesar Manuel Zavala (DOB 12/12/85), of Simi Valley, has been charged in a domestic violence case with the ...attempted murder of his girlfriend. He also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon and the crime involving great violence. Today, Zavala pled not guilty to all charges during his first court appearance. He was also served with a criminal protective order prohibiting contact with the victim.
Zavala is scheduled for an early disposition conference on December 9, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in
courtroom 37 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail. A bail
review hearing is set for December 3, 2025.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3XkC3GU
Ventura County law enforcement agencies are proud to highlight new findings from the State of the Region Report 2025, published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance, which once again identifies ...Ventura County as the safest large county in California.
According to the report, Ventura County recorded 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, the lowest overall crime rate among California’s 16 largest counties. Although crime increased slightly from the record low of 2022, Ventura County continues to outperform every other large county in the state, an achievement the Civic Alliance notes is consistent with long-standing trends.
“These data points reflect years of strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies and a shared commitment to proactive, community-focused policing,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The long-term trend is clear, Ventura County remains one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3JYob21
Today we proudly welcomed three new prosecutors to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office!
Leah Timmerman, Lana Camarena, and Sarah Kashani were sworn in by Judge Paul Feldman, with... District Attorney Erik Nasarenko administering their Deputy District Attorney oath.
Please join us in congratulating them as they begin their careers serving justice and protecting our community.
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Zarbab Ali (DOB 01/04/97), of Hawthorne, was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Rachel Castillo, ...the mother of their children. Ms. Castillo was in the process of divorcing the defendant, and the divorce was nearly complete at the time Ali murdered her. The jury also found true the special circumstance that the murder was committed by means of lying in wait and that Ali used a knife. Prior to trial, Ali pled guilty to the felony crime of sexual contact with the victim’s remains after her death. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, prosecuted the case.
“Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family, who have endured unimaginable pain since the day she was taken from them,” Mr. Russell said. “I am thankful for the outstanding efforts of law enforcement, whose investigation made this verdict possible. While nothing can restore what her loved ones have lost, this conviction ensures the defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison and that the community will be protected from him forever.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4ppNLf5
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that all three juveniles charged with hate crime allegations in connection with the August 1, 2025, assault at the ...Simi Valley Regal Cinema have now been sentenced.
The final minor charged with a hate crime was sentenced on November 19, 2025, to serve 270 days, consisting of 240 days in the locked Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. On November 13, the other two minors charged with a hate crime were each sentenced to serve 240 days, consisting of 210 days in the Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. All three minors were ordered to participate in the Harm to Healing Restorative Justice Program and the Anti-Defamation League Program.
“Hate crimes will not be tolerated in Ventura County,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “We sought justice for our victims and accountability for the offenders that reflected the seriousness of these crimes. Multiple months of custody in a locked Juvenile Facility underscores the seriousness of their crimes.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4oZvPIA