In a joint news conference held on January 18, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Sheriff Jim Fryhoff discuss the murder of Jose Velasquez and the 11 felony charges filed against Rotherie Foster for the crime.
News Releases
Uber Driver Charged with Raping Unconscious Passenger
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Simranjit Singh Sekhon (DOB 01/07/90), of Bakersfield, has been charged with rape of an unconscious person. He is also charged with the aggravating factor of the victim being particularly vulnerable. Today, Sekhon made his first court appearance for arraignment and pled not guilty. Sekhon, an Uber… Read More
Fillmore Man Sentenced to 100 Years to Life in Prison for Molestation
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Zavala (DOB 06/13/85), of Fillmore, was sentenced to the maximum of 100 years to life in state prison for the sexual abuse of two minor victims. Zavala was previously convicted by a jury on November 10, 2025, of three counts of lewd acts upon a… Read More
Ventura Man Convicted in Hit & Run that Killed Two Dogs and Injured Driver
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a Ventura County jury found Leonardo Palafox (DOB 10/13/88), of Ventura, guilty on December 15, 2025, of three felony and three misdemeanor counts for a violent hit and run. The jury convicted Palafox of felony leaving the scene of an accident, two felony counts of cruelty to an… Read More
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Identifies Wrongful Conviction Through Sexual Assault Kit Initiative & Conviction Integrity Review
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a review conducted by the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) and the District Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit has determined that a man convicted more than 40 years ago of a 1982 rape in unincorporated Simi Valley was wrongfully convicted. Recent DNA testing excluded the wrongfully… Read More
Oxnard Man Convicted of Assault with Deadly Weapon & Gang-Related Charges
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a jury has found Sergio Contreras (DOB 01/04/06), of Oxnard, guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, and street terrorism. The jury also found true all special allegations, including causing great bodily injury in the commission of a felony and violent… Read More
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
Ventura County District Attorney and Sheriff Joint Press Conference January 18, 2023
Family Justice Center Restraining Order Workshop
The Ventura County Family Justice Center is holding a new restraining order workshop for those in need. Demand for this service has skyrocketed during the pandemic years. The workshops will be three days a week. Two days in English and one day in Spanish.
If you need help or information between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, call us at (805) 652-7655, text us at (805) 947-7981, or email vcfjc.coop@venturacounty.gov.
Centro de Justicia Familiar – Taller de órdenes de restricción contra la Violencia Doméstica
El Centro de Justicia Familiar del Condado de Ventura está organizando un nuevo taller sobre órdenes de restricción para los necesitados. La demanda de este servicio se ha disparado durante los años de la pandemia. Los talleres serán tres días a la semana. Dos días en Inglés y un día en Español.
Si necesita ayuda o información entre las 8:00 am y las 5:00 pm, de lunes a viernes, llámenos al (805) 652-7655, envíenos un mensaje de texto al (805) 947-7981 o envíe un correo electrónico a vcfjc.coop@venturacounty.gov.
Notable Cases
Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodney Rey Yanez (DOB 03/11/69), of Oxnard, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Dylan Rusch. This marks the first time the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug, fentanyl, to a victim who overdosed…
2013 People v. Kenneth Powell, Katie Rose, and Paul Lascola
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted one of the largest real estate investment fraud schemes uncovered in the county involving victim losses exceeding $3 million.
2012 People v. Calvin Sharp
In August 2007, Calvin Sharp chased down, attacked, and brutally killed a 6-year-old boy, Sev’n Molina, with a meat cleaver. When Sev’n’s mother, Sandra Ruiz, tried to stop the attack, Sharp attacked her as well, causing major life-long injuries. A neighbor, Diane Cox, also attempted to intervene and suffered serious injuries at the hands of…
Public Reports
November 7, 2024
Report on the April 7, 2023, shooting of Cristian Baltazar-Torres by Oxnard Police Officer Jarrod Sheffield.
May 28, 2024
Report on the March 12, 2023, shooting of Adam Barcenas by Oxnard Police Department Officer Shayn Schwartz.
May 28, 2024
Report on the April 28, 2022, shooting of Derrick Padilla by Simi Valley Police Department Senior Officer David Maupin and Officer Daniel Stradling