Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 21, 2023, Euren Balbuena (DOB 11/29/90), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend Zaira Patino-Trejo. The jury also found Balbuena guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against the victim’s mother and battery causing great bodily injury against Patino-Trejo.

Erik Nasarenko was elected Ventura County District Attorney on June 7, 2022. As the County’s top prosecutor overseeing a $66 million budget and 300 employees, including more than 100 deputy district attorneys, Erik has initiated specialized efforts to prosecute fentanyl-based crimes, analyze untested rape kits, and expand support and services to crime victims, including the creation of the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center in Oxnard.
Latest News Releases
Ventura Man Convicted of Possessing Fentanyl for Sale
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Shiloh Chenoweth (DOB 02/12/84), of Ventura, was convicted by a jury of two felony counts: possession of fentanyl for sale, and possession of methamphetamine for sale. The defendant admitted the special allegations that he had a prior “serious” felony conviction, which also qualified as a prior “strike” offense under California’s Three Strikes laws.
Oxnard Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Murder, Several Robberies
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Osvaldo Hernandez (DOB 05/22/99), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder for a shooting that killed Robert De La Cerda. He also pled guilty to one count of attempted robbery, three counts of robbery, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Hernandez admitted to several special allegations as well, including that he personally used a firearm in the murder of Mr. De La Cerda.
Alnaji Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment
Today, November 17, 2023, Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, pled not guilty at arraignment to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. Alnaji also denied the special allegations that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.
Watch News Conference
On Friday November 17, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff held a news conference regarding the arrest and the charges filed against Loay Alnaji in the death of Paul Kessler.
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