NEWS RELEASE:
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mysti Lee Ary (DOB 01/29/77), of Bakersfield, has been charged with felony fleeing the scene of an accident ...causing permanent, serious injury for a June 15, 2025, accident along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Ary made her first court appearance today in Ventura County Superior Court where she pled not guilty.
READ MORE: https://da.venturacounty.gov/2026/01/bakersfield-woman-charged-in-alleged-hit-and-run-on-pacific-coast-highway
NEWS RELEASE:
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a 17-year-old juvenile has been charged with Penal Code section 422.3(a), a new criminal threats law that took ...effect on January 1, 2026. The charge stems from a threat to carry out a school shooting at R.J. Frank Academy Middle School in Oxnard.
Penal Code section 422.3(a) makes it a crime to threaten death or great bodily injury to people at schools, daycare centers, workplaces, houses of worship, or medical facilities, including threats made by phone calls, text messages, images, or online posts. The law was created to allow law enforcement to intervene when threats cause fear and disruption, even if no weapon is ultimately found. While similar to the existing criminal threat statute, it differs in that the threat may be made towards a location and need not be made to a specific person.
“This new law gives law enforcement and prosecutors an important tool to address credible threats before violence occurs,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Threats against schools will always be taken seriously, and early intervention is critical to keeping our students and educators safe.”
READ MORE: https://da.venturacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Juvenile-Charged-Under-New-Criminal-Threats-Law-for-Oxnard-School-Shooting-Threat.pdf
Five years ago this week, Erik Nasarenko became the Ventura County District Attorney.
Five years of progress.
Five years of results.
This is The First Five in 55 seconds.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly and Ventura County advocate Kaylin Hayman reunited in San Diego to present at the CA District Attorneys Association conference on Violence Against Women ...in the Digital Age.
Together, they helped drive landmark legislation last year outlawing AI generated child sexual abuse images, now law in California, underscoring that exploiting a child’s likeness through AI is real harm with real victims.
NEWS RELEASE:
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Thomas James Syslo (DOB 05/19/92), of Torrence, was charged with murder for the 2023 fatal fentanyl overdose of Freddy Dijor ...in Thousand Oaks. Syslo also faces felony charges for possession of fentanyl for sale and two counts of money laundering. He made his first appearance on January 26, 2026, in Ventura County Superior Court and pled not guilty to all charges.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4riqhtx
We’re proud to celebrate three members of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office honored today by the Board of Supervisors for their years of dedicated service to Ventura County. Kevin ...Drescher and Cyndy Villa were each recognized for 30 years of service, and Michelle Contois was honored for 25 years.
In total, the County recognized 21 employees representing an incredible 580 years of public service.
NOW HIRING: Executive Director | Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation
The Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation is seeking a passionate and experienced Executive ...Director to lead fundraising, donor engagement, and community partnerships in support of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes.
Position Details
• Part-time or Full-time (Exempt, At-Will)
• Salary: $75,000–$100,000 annually (with potential incentive-based bonuses)
• Location: Ventura County Family Justice Center (some remote work permitted)
• Reports to: Foundation Board of Directors
Key Responsibilities
• Lead grant writing, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts
• Cultivate and steward donors and community partners
• Support Foundation operations, events, and programs, including Camp HOPE
• Manage financial records, reports, and grant compliance
Ideal Candidate
• Fundraising and grant writing experience (2+ years)
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and CRM/database systems
• Committed to social justice and victim-centered services
APPLY TODAY
Initial review date: February 16, 2026 (open until filled)
Email cover letter and resume to:
📧 christine.mitchell@venturacounty.gov
Learn more: vcfjcfoundation.org
Ventura County Family Justice Center
Jose Trinidad Bueno Garcia (DOB 02/11/75), of Van Nuys, was sentenced on January 21, 2026, to 15 years in state prison.
Between May 2025 and October 2025, detectives with the Ventura County ...Combined Agency Team (VCAT) conducted an extensive investigation into a Los Angeles County-based drug trafficking organization. The investigation established that the organization was sourcing fentanyl and methamphetamine from Mexico and selling those drugs to Ventura County residents.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi.
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