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In 2000, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office joined other Southern California law enforcement agencies to create the Southern California High Technology Crime Task Force (SCHTTF). The Task Force is made up of investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, civilian computer forensic examiners and representatives from other law enforcement agencies. The SCHTTF provides highly technical support and forensic technology services for the District Attorney’s ever-growing number of cases involving digital evidence and provides specialized training to other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. Hundreds of computers, data storage devices and cellular phones are analyzed annually by the SCHTTF. Digital evidence has proven crucial in the prosecution of capital murder cases, sexual assaults, and other serious cases. Task Force personnel also work with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases involving Internet crimes against children and other computer crimes.

Criminal misdemeanor violations of county ordinances and various California laws relating to the areas of weights and measures, building and safety, environmental health and general property maintenance are evaluated for prosecution by an experienced deputy district attorney. This attorney works with the Ventura County Resource Management Agency to coordinate enforcement for zoning, land use and building code violations occurring in unincorporated areas of Ventura County. Cases are generally submitted to this office for review through the Ventura County Resource Management Agency’s Planning, Environmental Health, and Code Enforcement Divisions. Information regarding the assignment of a code enforcement criminal case being handled within the office may be obtained by calling (805) 662-1709.

Perpetrators of auto insurance fraud utilize a variety of fraudulent schemes to illegally collect funds from insurance companies. Individuals may be victimized by staged accidents or repair shops performing incomplete or substandard work after a legitimate accident. Insurance companies and consumers suffer alike when unscrupulous people take out insurance policies after an accident and then falsely claim that it occurred after coverage began. Another ploy used by individuals who are behind in car payments, have excessive miles on a leased car, or who just need money will stage the theft of their own vehicle and then dump, damage or destroy the car in an effort to obtain insurance monies. No matter the nature of the fraud, consumers are ultimately harmed, as costs incurred due to fraud get passed along in the form of higher premiums. In Ventura County, a team of one attorney and one investigator specialize in vertically prosecuting…

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The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will mark the five-year anniversary of the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting with a memorial remembrance on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. That night five years ago, 12 lives were taken including on-duty Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Ron Helus.

The majority of the criminal prosecutions of misdemeanor offenses are handled within the Misdemeanor Unit. These crimes include driving under the influence of alcohol, theft, being under the influence of controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance, battery, resisting arrest and many others. Over 10,000 cases a year are prosecuted by the Misdemeanor Unit. Misdemeanor cases are typically submitted by local law enforcement agencies for review by prosecutors who then file charges as appropriate. At the initial court date for arraignment, copies of the complaint and police reports will be available to defense counsel or a defendant without an attorney and a calendar deputy district attorney will inform defense counsel of the recommended disposition. Once a misdemeanor case is set for trial, it is assigned to a deputy district attorney. Questions about cases should be directed to the assigned attorney, since calendar attorneys generally do not depart from recommended case…

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The Digital Media Unit is comprised of two skilled professionals who expertly handle audio, video, and photo evidence for all levels of cases. They assist Deputy District Attorneys by creating clear and compelling exhibits for the jury and courtroom presentation, ensuring exhibits are displayed in the most impactful and coherent manner. The unit provides forensic video analysis services, including video enhancement and speed and height estimations. They assist the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies during active investigations, ensuring that digital media, especially video evidence, is utilized effectively. The dedication and expertise of the Digital Media Unit contributes to the modernization of the prosecution process, ensuring every piece of digital evidence achieves its maximum potential in the pursuit of justice.

Auto Theft All car theft and carjacking cases are handled in the Auto Theft Unit. Cases are handled vertically from filing through sentencing, meaning these cases are assigned to an auto theft prosecutor for all purposes once the case is submitted for review by law enforcement. This attorney works closely with local law enforcement agencies through the Ventura Auto Theft Task Force (VENCATT). This collaborative effort provides the most effective means to prosecute auto theft cases and meet the needs of people who are victimized by these types of crimes. Driving Under the Influence The District Attorney’s Office is committed to increasing public safety on Ventura County’s streets and highways by ensuring that all persons who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs are held accountable for their actions. The DUI Unit receives grant monies from the Office of Traffic Safety to fund a team of seasoned prosecutors who…

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Sheriff James Fryhoff and District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the award of a second $2.5 million grant from the United States Department of Justice in support of the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office, applied for this supplemental grant to further efforts that began following receipt of a prior award of $2.5 million in late 2021.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Alliance United Insurance Company, which provides auto and casualty insurance services to consumers throughout California, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit alleging that the company engaged in unfair business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200.  Alliance United specializes in offering non-standard, high-risk auto policies. Many of its clients are from lower income and/or under-represented communities.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 23, 2023, Kai Sommers (DOB 12/26/87), of Ventura, was charged with four felony counts of child sex crimes. The allegations include two counts of human trafficking of a minor, distribution of child sexual assault material and possession of child sexual assault material by someone with a prior conviction. Aggravating circumstances that Sommers served a prior prison sentence were also alleged for all four counts. Sommers pled not guilty to all counts at arraignment.

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