Intoxicated Driver Sentenced for 2022 Christmas Crash That Killed Passenger
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Michael Gordon Butler (DOB 09/04/84), of Simi Valley, was sentenced on May 20, 2025, to four years in state prison for the death of Coldren James Lee Udell Kiblinger. Butler previously pled guilty on April 24, 2025, to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. “This was a preventable tragedy. Coldren Kiblinger’s life was tragically cut down by Butler’s grossly negligent decisions on December 25, 2022,” Deputy District Attorney Jillian Ewan said. “While no amount of time will bring Coldren back, I hope the guilty plea will give some sense of justice and closure for the hardship Coldren’s family and friends have endured.”
Military Equipment Annual Reports & Community Presentation
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation will be hosting a community presentation to share required annual military equipment reports with the public. All Ventura County residents are welcome to attend on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Camarillo Police Department. The report and corresponding community meeting are part of legislation (Assembly Bill 481) signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2021, intended to increase public transparency, and provide government oversite when California law enforcement agencies seek to fund, acquire, and/or use “military equipment.”
Victorville Man Sentenced for 2004 Moorpark Murder
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Antoine Nehme (DOB 07/22/51), of Victorville, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for orchestrating the 2004 murder of Dennis Wood, a Moorpark resident found dead in his home. A Ventura County jury previously convicted Nehme on March 17, 2025, of murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, and solicitation of murder. The jury also found true the special allegation that Nehme ordered the killing for financial gain. Additionally, Judge Paul Baelly found all charged aggravating factors were true, including that the crime involved great violence and was carried out with planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
Collaborative Effort Helps Ventura County Residents Clear Criminal Records
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Probation Department, People’s Justice Project, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (“CRLA”), and The Colleges of Law –Ventura will host a free legal Clean Slate Clinic for Ventura County residents for criminal record expungement, felony reduction, and arrest record sealing on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Colleges of Law – Ventura campus located at 4475 Market St, Ventura, CA 93003. The purpose of the Clean Slate Clinic is to help eliminate barriers to employment and housing for individuals who have criminal records. A criminal record—no matter how old or how minor—can be a significant barrier to reentry for people when most employers, property managers, and universities use background checks to screen applicants.
Kevin Ray James Pleads Guilty to 1997 Bank Robbery Murder of Monica Leech
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kevin Ray James (DOB 09/23/67), of San Bernardino, has pled guilty to the 1997 murder of Monica Leech during an armed bank robbery in Thousand Oaks, and admitted that he personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime. As part of the plea, James will receive a sentence of 19 years to life in state prison. The Leech and Cavaletto families shared that the resolution provides them with a sense of closure after decades of uncertainty and heartbreak: Losing Monica has been an unbearable tragedy. While nothing can bring her back, we are pleased that the defendant has accepted responsibility for her death. This outcome brings a sense of justice and accountability and allows us to begin moving forward while honoring Monica’s memory. We want to thank investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors and investigators with the Ventura County…
Former Wrestling Coach Charged with Sexual Assault of Student
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ronald Wilson (DOB 10/23/52), of Timnath, Colorado, has been charged with five felony counts related to the alleged sexual assault of a student. Wilson is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, lewd acts upon a child, sodomy of a person under 18, and two counts of luring. He also faces the special allegations of taking advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was vulnerable. “Teachers and coaches are trusted authority figures who are expected to look after the well-being of our students,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “When they violate that trust and use their position to sexually assault minors, we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law. We commend the now adult victim for having the courage, strength and resolve to come forward, and we encourage anyone else who may have been victimized or have…
Chino Man Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft in Real Estate Fraud Scheme
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jonathan Martinez (DOB 03/08/88), of Chino, California, pled guilty on May 8, 2025, to one felony count of unauthorized use of personal identifying information of another. In April 2021, a Thousand Oaks family lost their home in foreclosure. Shortly after the foreclosure sale was completed, the family began receiving multiple solicitations by phone and mail from law firms offering their services in a potential wrongful foreclosure action. One of these law firms was Affinity Law Group (Affinity) which Martinez worked for. In June 2021, Affinity advised the victims there would be surplus funds owed to them because their former property’s sale price exceeded the total amount of liens on title at the foreclosure sale. Martinez intercepted a check in the amount of $84,110 in surplus funds made payable to the victims. Once Martinez obtained the check, he forged the victims’ signatures and endorsements…
Two Juveniles Charged in Ventura High School Threat
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that two juveniles have been charged with making a false bomb threat, conspiracy to make a false bomb threat, and criminal threats, all felonies, in connection with a phoned-in threat that caused a lockdown at Ventura High School last week. “All threats to commit violence on our school campuses will be treated seriously,” Juvenile Unit Supervisor Maureen Byrne said. “The bomb and shooting threat made towards Ventura High School’s campus caused students and staff to fear for their safety. Our office is committed to ensuring that school campuses are safe for students.”
Colorado Man Sentenced for Raping & Sexually Assaulting Multiple Victims
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Charles Edward Gaines III (DOB 07/05/96), was sentenced on May 6, 2025, to 19 years state prison for forcible sex crimes committed against three women and the attempted rape of a fourth victim. “Gaines preyed on vulnerable women, including a teenager and a person experiencing homelessness, using manipulation, violence, and threats to commit his crimes,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker. “His 19-year prison sentence reflects the gravity of his actions and the lasting trauma he inflicted on his victims. I commend the courage of the survivors who came forward and the Simi Valley detectives and crime lab scientists who brought him to justice.”
Thousand Oaks Man Re-Arrested and Arraigned for Practicing Medicine Without a License
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Nitun “Nate” Dayalghai Ahir (DOB 06/17/81), of Thousand Oaks, was arraigned for practicing medicine without a license, in violation of Business and Professions Code section 2052. Ahir was out on bail in case number 2024030574, in which he is alleged to have practiced medicine without a license and represented himself as a doctor at Regen Spine & Nerve, in Ventura, when the District Attorney’s Office received complaints that Ahir was continuing to practice medicine without a license. In his new case, Ahir is alleged to have unlawfully provided medical services to victims only days after being arraigned in case 2024030574. He is further charged with using the term “Doctor” and the prefix “Dr.” to imply he is a licensed medical professional when he is not. Judge David Hirsch explicitly made a condition of Ahir’s bail that he may not practice medicine, solicit medical…