The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Samuel William Lafond (DOB 04/01/88), of Santa Barbara, has been arraigned on one felony charge of luring after a sting operation by the Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF). Lafond pled not guilty at his arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court.

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
Tri-County Dist. Attys. Team Up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving for Holiday Public Service Announcement
The District Attorneys of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo have joined forces with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to create a safe and sober driving message for the month of December, which is Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The PSA highlights the dangers and life-changing consequences that impaired driving can have. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Senior Investigator Judi Estrada shares her story. Judi was struck by a drunk driver while in the car with her family. The crash has impacted every aspect of her life since that day.
Ventura County Named Safest Large County in California
Ventura County law enforcement is pleased to highlight a recent report on crime rates published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance. The report identifies Ventura County as the safest large county in California, according to data from the California Department of Justice.
Board of Supervisors Approves Firearm Relinquishment Crime Analyst Position for DA’s Bureau of Investigation
Today in a unanimous vote during the regular meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a new position within the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation. This position, a Crime Analyst II, will be funded by a California AB 178 Firearms Relinquishment Grant.
Woman Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Bryn Spejcher (DOB 01/25/91), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Chad O’Melia, whom she had been dating for a few weeks.
On May 27, 2018, Spejcher went to Mr. O’Melia’s apartment in Thousand Oaks, where both took several hits from a bong loaded with marijuana. Spejcher had an adverse reaction to the marijuana and suffered from what experts call Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder. During that psychotic episode, Spejcher stabbed Mr. O’Melia multiple times killing him. She also stabbed herself repeatedly.
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