Category Archives: News Releases

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will host a ceremony at Ventura College commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) on April 25, 2024. The event in Guthrie Hall takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will include speakers and a march to raise awareness about crime victims. The event has been hosted by the District Attorney’s Office since 1981. The theme for 2024 is “Fentanyl Awareness & Prevention: Options, Services and Hope for Crime Survivors.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Cameron Scott Lykins (DOB 11/02/95), of Ojai, pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter for the death of his friend, Houston Auer. Lykins also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that he used a deadly weapon and had strike priors.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ronald Kenneth Rosen (DOB 07/15/57), formerly of Simi Valley, has been sentenced to 3 years 4 months state prison. He previously pled guilty on March 20, 2024, to one felony count of possession or control of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while being a registered sex offender, and two felony counts for distributing CSAM. Rosen also admitted to three special allegations, including that he had a large quantity of CSAM in his possession.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Guadalupe Calderon (DOB 02/25/93), of Oxnard, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 27 years to life for the first-degree murder of Edwin Herrera. Calderon was previously convicted by a jury on March 15, 2024. The jury also found true the gun special allegation. A judge found true other allegations, including a gang enhancement and a gang special circumstance.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Erick Estrada (DOB 08/31/88), of Ventura, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 126 years to life for the murder of Gabriel Gutierrez, and the attempted murder of two other men in a separate incident. Estrada was previously convicted by a jury on February 14, 2024, of the first-degree murder of Mr. Gutierrez, and for the attempted murder and assault with a firearm of both Michael Owens and Thomas Bakkila. Special allegations related to all counts were found to be true, including that Estrada committed the murder while lying in wait, and that he intentionally discharged a firearm.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kevin Ray James (DOB 09/23/67), of San Bernardino, has been held to answer for the 1997 murder of Monica Leech. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan made the decision on April 10, 2024, after a three-day preliminary hearing where witnesses and evidence were presented. An information arraignment is scheduled for April 24, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. James remains in custody without bail.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko testified in support of Assembly Bill 1831, during today’s Public Safety Committee hearing in Sacramento. The bill successfully passed out of the committee and will move on to the Privacy Committee. The proposed legislation, introduced by California Assemblymember Marc Berman and co-sponsored by District Attorney Nasarenko, seeks to strengthen laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content, to better protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. “Right now, there is a gap in California Law,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Changes need to be made to keep up with the quickly changing technology. This is a serious, prurient, and very disturbing problem that the law needs to address.”

A Ventura County man was sentenced today to 140 months in federal prison for soliciting on social media platforms sexually explicit photos from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl.Thomas Kern Gissell, 29, of Moorpark, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also placed Gissell on 20 years of supervised release when Gissell eventually is released from prison and ordered him to pay $5,100 in special assessments and $27,000 in restitution.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Margarita Jimenez (DOB 02/03/91), and Jorge Alberto Garfias (DOB 08/31/87), both from Oxnard, have been charged with the kidnapping and murder of Yanelly Vargas. They also face numerous special allegations and enhancements, including Jimenez being alleged to have personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, and Garfias taking advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense. The continued arraignment for Jimenez and Garfias is scheduled for May 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Both remain in custody with no bail.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Dr. Fernando Juarez Gomez, Jr. (DOB 12/09/80), of Oxnard, has been charged with eight felony counts of sexual battery by fraudulent misrepresentation. He is also charged with special allegations that he took advantage of a position of trust or authority.Gomez, Jr. pled not guilty to all counts at today’s arraignment.