NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a minor has been charged with three felony counts in juvenile court for the near-fatal shooting at Five Guys inRead more Oxnard where an innocent bystander was wounded. The 17-year-old is charged with shooting at an occupied building, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and buying or receiving a firearm against a court order. The teenager also faces two special allegations for intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and personally using a firearm. He was arraigned in juvenile court and denied all charges.
The minor was 16 years old at the time of the alleged offense. Prosecutors filed a motion to transfer this case from the juvenile court to the adult court.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4AgZEtm
This morning, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko swore in Mariana Perez Murillo as the newest Victim Advocate with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Mariana joins us from the Read moreSanta Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, where she previously worked as a Legal Professional. We are excited to welcome her to the team and look forward to the important work ahead.
Welcome, Mariana!
Ventura County Family Justice Center
Today marks eight years since the Borderline tragedy, a night that changed Ventura County forever.
We pause to remember the 12 lives lost and honor the victims, their families, the survivorsRead more and everyone whose lives were impacted. We also recognize the strength, compassion and resilience of a community that continues to stand together in remembrance.
#BorderlineStrong
IN MEMORY:
Sgt. Ron Helus
Cody Coffman
Alaina Housley
Noel Sparks
Sean Adler
Justin Meek
Blake Dingman
Jake Dunham
Kristina Morisette
Marky Meza
Dan Manrique
Telemachus Orfanos
Today, we celebrated an exciting milestone for seven members of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office who passed the California Bar Exam and officially took their oaths of office.
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The seven new attorneys were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Paul Feldman and then took the Deputy District Attorney’s Oath of Office, administered by District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
Congratulations to Philip Drescher, Wessal Fabela, Pooyan Jamneshan, Kyle Legge, Laura O’Connor, Juan Piñon and Colin Stackpoole!
After serving as post-bar law clerks, they are now officially Deputy District Attorneys, beginning the next chapter of their careers in public service.
We are proud to welcome them to the ranks of our prosecutors and look forward to the important work they will do serving the people of Ventura County. Congratulations!
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ivar Laegreid (DOB 06/27/58), of Oxnard, was sentenced on November 5, 2026, to six years four months in state Read moreprison. Prosecutors were asking for 12 years eight months in prison. Laegreid was previously convicted by a jury on October 8, 2026, of seven felony counts related to drugs sales and his possession of a ghost gun.
Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The defendant brought large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine into Ventura County and sold them while armed with a ghost gun,” Mr. Mirchi said. “We are glad the defendant has been held accountable for the danger he posed to our community.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4AfdFro
Statement from District Attorney Erik Nasarenko on Governor Newsom’s Decision to Commute Death Sentences
VENTURA, Calif. – Governor Newsom’s decision to commute existing death Read moresentences in California directly impacts the families of 15 victims in Ventura County. These were the most heinous and horrific crimes in our county over the past fifty years, and the victims’ families have endured unimaginable loss, grief and suffering.
These death sentences were imposed after a jury carefully considered the evidence, facts and circumstances of each individual case. They represent years of courtroom proceedings, appeals and judicial review.
Life without the possibility of parole is a severe punishment, but it was not the sentence determined in a courtroom for these 15 cases, and it replaces the decision-making authority of the judge and jury with gubernatorial discretion. That is what the California Constitution allows, but our responsibility as prosecutors is to seek justice, stand with victims and their families and uphold the rule of law and will of the voters. As the California Supreme Court reviews many of these commuted sentences, I encourage the justices to carefully evaluate each eligible case and reach its own independent decision.
This week, Rocky Marquez was sworn in as the new Chief of Police for the Oxnard Police Department!
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office congratulates Chief Marquez on his Read morewell-deserved promotion and looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Oxnard Police Department in keeping our communities safe.
Congratulations, Chief Marquez!
(Photos: Oxnard Police Department)
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Pedro Ocampo Alvarez (DOB 06/29/68), of Oxnard, was convicted on November 4, 2026, of 11 felony counts of child Read moremolestation. Alvarez waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a court trial conducted by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Paul Feldman. Judge Feldman found Alvarez guilty of four counts of lewd acts upon a child, three counts of using a child for sex acts, two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child 10 years old and under, and one count each of oral copulation with a child 10 years and under and possession of child pornography. The special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victim being particularly vulnerable were found to be true.
Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
“I am deeply grateful to the victim for her bravery and strength throughout this process,” Ms. McCarty said. “Coming forward and participating in the pursuit of justice takes tremendous courage and I hope this conviction brings her closure and the justice she so rightfully deserves.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4iDaQJA
A big thank you to VC Vida Newspaper for helping us spread the word about government benefit fraud by publishing our public awareness ad in both English and Spanish!
The ad highlights commonRead more types of benefit fraud, how to recognize potential fraud, and where to report suspicious activity. It also reminds the community that reports can be made anonymously and that you do not need proof to make a report.
Public assistance programs are an important resource for families and individuals who need them. Helping protect those resources is a responsibility we all share.
We appreciate VIDA's partnership in helping us reach more members of our community with this important information!