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
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Event Focuses on Fentanyl
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… Read More
Ojai Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter of Friend
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. Read More
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material
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… Read More
Oxnard Gang Member Sentenced to Life Without Parole, plus 27 Years
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… Read More
Ventura Gang Member Sentenced to Life Without Parole, plus 126 Years to Life
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… Read More
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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@ventura.org.
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@ventura.org.
Notable Cases
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…
2011 People v. Ricardo Villa
Victim Beatrice Bellis, age 87, was deaf and functionally mute. She lived at the Mar Vista apartment complex, an elder care facility located in Port Hueneme, California. In June 1993, an unknown assailant slipped into her unlocked apartment, stabbed her repeatedly with a large kitchen knife, and raped her as she bled to death. The…
Public Reports
September 8, 2023
Report on the October 4, 2020, shooting of Austin Manzano by Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Robert Medina and Gregory Tougas.
December 9, 2021
Report on the November 5, 2020 Shooting of Javier Magaña by Ventura Police Officer Joaquin Ortega.
February 12, 2021
Report on the July 5, 2019, shooting of Joshua Ortiz by California Highway Patrol Officer Timothy Putzel.