Driver Sentenced to More Than Five Years After Hitting 124mph in Double-Fatal Newbury Park Crash
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Leonardo Rodriguez (DOB 03/05/05), of Pico Rivera, was sentenced on August 13, 2026, to five years and four months in state prison for his role as the driver in a 2024 crash that killed two people on U.S. 101 in Newbury Park. Rodriguez previously pled guilty on June 25, 2026, to two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter for causing the deaths of Serenity Rizkalla and Michael Estrella. Deputy District Attorney George Brietigam, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, prosecuted the case. “At 124 miles per hour there’s no margin for error,” Mr. Brietigam said. “The deaths of Serenity Rizkalla and Michael Estrella were the foreseeable result of the defendant’s shockingly poor judgement and dangerous choices. This tragedy was preventable, and their families will forever live with the consequences. We hope today’s sentence provides their…
Camarillo Man Admits Killing Mother, Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that David Hoetzlein (DOB 06/04/97), of Camarillo, admitted in court today that he strangled and killed his mother, Tomoko Hoetzlein, in their Camarillo home in 2022. However, because of a severe mental disorder that prevented him from having the mental capacity required to be held criminally responsible at the time of the killing, Hoetzlein was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Hoetzlein admitted to second-degree murder of his mother. Two independent doctors evaluated Hoetzlein and each concluded he met the legal criteria for a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors did not object to those opinions based on Hoetzlein’s documented mental health history, the doctors’ reports, and input from Hoetzlein’s family. “Tomoko Hoetzlein was a devoted mother who did everything in her power to get her son the mental health treatment he desperately needed,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney…
1994 Attack Victim Seeks Justice as Convicted Rapist Faces New Charges
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the filing of felony charges against former Los Angeles Police Department detective and convicted rapist Michael Douglas Brambles (DOB 11/27/48), of Santa Maria, in connection with the 1994 kidnapping for robbery of a Thousand Oaks business owner. At a news conference today, District Attorney Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff detailed the decades-old case, while the victim, identified as SW, courageously spoke publicly about the attack. Brambles is charged with kidnapping to commit robbery while personally using a firearm. The complaint also alleges several aggravating circumstances, including that the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication or professionalism, and that Brambles engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society. Brambles was arrested August 12 in Santa Maria by District Attorney investigators, with the assistance of…
Arrest & Charges to be Announced in 1994 Thousand Oaks Kidnapping for Robbery Case
News Conference: Thursday August 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will hold a news conference Thursday, August 13, to announce the arrest and charges filed against Michael Douglas Brambles, a former LAPD detective and convicted rapist, accused of kidnapping for robbery of a Thousand Oaks business owner in 1994. The case was reopened thanks to continued testing as part of the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff and the victim, who will be identified publicly only by her initials, S.W., will speak at the news conference.
Simi Valley Man Sentenced for Murdering Girlfriend in Front of Her Children
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, was sentenced to 51 years-to-life for the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas previously pleaded guilty on May 20, 2026, to second-degree murder and admitted all special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon, the crime involved great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable, and strike priors. Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, prosecuted the case. “The defendant’s willingness to take responsibility for his horrendous crime doesn’t excuse what he did to the victim and her family,” Mr. Barrick said.
DA’s Office Orders Camarillo Event Venue to Address Public Nuisance Concerns
VENTURA Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has issued a notice ordering The Colony Estate, an unpermitted wedding and event venue at 85 Crestview Avenue in Camarillo, to address ongoing public nuisance issues affecting the surrounding neighborhood. The notice was provided to the property owners, and is intended for any owners, operators, managers, occupants, lessees, or any other persons responsible for activities at the venue.
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and California Lutheran University Announce New East County Family Justice Center Partnership
THOUSAND OAKS Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and California Lutheran University today announced the future home of the East County Family Justice Center will be on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the lease agreement for a building located at 26 Faculty Street on August 4, 2026, paving the way to expand critical services for victims and survivors throughout East Ventura County.
Simi Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Killing His Father
VENTURA Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gerardo Arroyo Almanza (DOB 04/23/89), of Simi Valley, has pled guilty to second-degree murder for the killing of his father, Alfredo Arroyo Sancen. Almanza also pled guilty to three counts of criminal threats against additional family members. He admitted to a prior strike offense and a special allegation for the use of a weapon.
Former Ventura County Employee Charged for Steering Six Figure Contracts to Wife’s Company
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that former Ventura County Health Care Agency Compliance Officer Charles Edward Flood IV (DOB 04/13/69), of Joliet, Illinois, has been charged with two felony counts of conflict of interest. The complaint also alleges that Flood took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the alleged crimes. Flood was arrested Friday afternoon by Illinois State Troopers and will be extradited to Ventura County by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. “Public employees are entrusted with safeguarding taxpayer dollars and making decisions solely in the public’s interest,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The allegations in this case describe a blatant and egregious violation of that trust. When a public employee is accused of secretly steering public funds to his own spouse’s business, it undermines confidence in government and must be met with the full force of the law.”
Ventura Man Charged with Attempted Murder for Domestic Violence Attack
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ignacio Rafael Anzaldo III (DOB 09/30/92), of Ventura, has been charged with multiple felonies related to a domestic violence incident. Anzaldo is charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse, and two counts of criminal threats. He also faces two misdemeanor charges for destroying evidence and a special allegation of using a deadly weapon. Anzaldo made his first court appearance on July 28, 2026, where his arraignment was continued to August 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 37 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.