Ventura County District Attorney
  • Home
  • Victim Services
  • Courthouse Dogs
  • Dangers of Fentanyl
  • Family Justice Center

News

News Releases


  • Oak Park Man Charged with Gross Vehicular Manslaughter in Deadly Newbury Park Crash

    Oak Park Man Charged with Gross Vehicular Manslaughter in Deadly Newbury Park Crash

    Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, has been charged with two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb also faces a special allegation that the crime is a serious felony. Read More


    July 1, 2025
  • Former Pastor in Oxnard Sentenced for Stealing $200,000 from Church

    Former Pastor in Oxnard Sentenced for Stealing $200,000 from Church

    The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Curtis Frank Lemons (DOB 12/31/56), currently living in Atoka, Tennessee, but formerly from Camarillo, was sentenced to two years in state prison for misappropriating $200,000 from an Oxnard church. Lemons previously pleaded guilty on April 4, 2025, to three felony counts: two for grand theft and… Read More


    June 27, 2025
  • Santa Paula Man Faces State Prison for Beating Sick Sea Lion

    Santa Paula Man Faces State Prison for Beating Sick Sea Lion

    District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Hurtado (DOB 03/30/93), of Santa Paula, pled guilty on June 16, 2025, to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms. Hurtado changed his plea just ahead of trial, admitting to one count of cruelty… Read More


    June 17, 2025
  • Oxnard Man Pleads Guilty to Auto Insurance Fraud

    Oxnard Man Pleads Guilty to Auto Insurance Fraud

    The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Hector Murrillo (DOB 10/14/95), of Oxnard, pled guilty on June 12, 2025, to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud. Murrillo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Automobile insurance fraud is… Read More


    June 16, 2025
  • Kevin Ray James Sentenced for 1997 Bank Robbery Murder of Monica Leech

    Kevin Ray James Sentenced for 1997 Bank Robbery Murder of Monica Leech

    District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kevin Ray James (DOB 09/23/67), of San Bernardino, was sentenced on June 13, 2025, to 19 years to life in state prison for the 1997 murder of Monica Leech during an armed bank robbery in Thousand Oaks. James previously pled guilty on May 16, 2025, and admitted that he… Read More


    June 16, 2025

Photo Gallery


bbblbbbr

Video Gallery


  • Ventura County District Attorney and Sheriff Joint Press Conference January 18, 2023

    In a joint news conference held on January 18, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Sheriff Jim Fryhoff discuss the murder of Jose Velasquez and the 11 felony charges filed against Rotherie Foster for the crime.


  • Family Justice Center Restraining Order Workshop

    The Ventura County Family Justice Center is holding a new restraining order workshop for those in need. Demand for this service has skyrocketed during the pandemic years. The workshops will be three days a week. Two days in English and one day in Spanish.

    If you need help or information between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, call us at (805) 652-7655, text us at (805) 947-7981, or email vcfjc.coop@ventura.org.


  • Centro de Justicia Familiar – Taller de órdenes de restricción contra la Violencia Doméstica

    El Centro de Justicia Familiar del Condado de Ventura está organizando un nuevo taller sobre órdenes de restricción para los necesitados. La demanda de este servicio se ha disparado durante los años de la pandemia. Los talleres serán tres días a la semana. Dos días en Inglés y un día en Español.

    Si necesita ayuda o información entre las 8:00 am y las 5:00 pm, de lunes a viernes, llámenos al (805) 652-7655, envíenos un mensaje de texto al (805) 947-7981 o envíe un correo electrónico a vcfjc.coop@ventura.org.


Notable Cases


  • Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose

    District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodney Rey Yanez (DOB 03/11/69), of Oxnard, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Dylan Rusch. This marks the first time the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug, fentanyl, to a victim who overdosed…


  • 2013 People v. Kenneth Powell, Katie Rose, and Paul Lascola

    The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted one of the largest real estate investment fraud schemes uncovered in the county involving victim losses exceeding $3 million.


  • 2012 People v. Calvin Sharp

    In August 2007, Calvin Sharp chased down, attacked, and brutally killed a 6-year-old boy, Sev’n Molina, with a meat cleaver. When Sev’n’s mother, Sandra Ruiz, tried to stop the attack, Sharp attacked her as well, causing major life-long injuries. A neighbor, Diane Cox, also attempted to intervene and suffered serious injuries at the hands of…


Public Reports


  • November 7, 2024

    Report on the April 7, 2023, shooting of Cristian Baltazar-Torres by Oxnard Police Officer Jarrod Sheffield.


  • May 28, 2024

    Report on the March 12, 2023, shooting of Adam Barcenas by Oxnard Police Department Officer Shayn Schwartz.


  • May 28, 2024

    Report on the April 28, 2022, shooting of Derrick Padilla by Simi Valley Police Department Senior Officer David Maupin and Officer Daniel Stradling


Term Reports


  • Family Justice Center Biennial Report 2022

  • Ventura County District Attorney Term Report 2015-2018

  • Ventura County District Attorney Term Report 2011-2014

  • Ventura County District Attorney Term Report 2007-2010

Publications


  • Consumer Fraud Pamphlet – Spanish

  • Consumer Fraud Pamphlet – English

  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – English

  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – Spanish

Alerts & Advisories


  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – English

  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – Spanish

  • Foreclosure & Loan Modification – English

  • Foreclosure & Loan Modification – Spanish

District Attorney Seal
  • News
        • Alerts & Advisories
        • Community Events
        • News Releases
        • Public Reports
        • Publications
        • Social Media
        • Term Reports
        • Video Gallery
  • Divisions
        • Administrative Services
        • Bureau of Investigation
        • Criminal Prosecutions
        • General Prosecutions
        • Justice Services
        • Special Prosecutions
        • Victim and Community Services
  • About the Office
  • Employment Opportunities
        • District Attorney Office Job Openings
        • Volunteer Opportunities
        • DEBI
  • Policies and Procedures
        • DA Office Policies and Procedures
        • Law Enforcement Policies (SB 978)
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Search

Our Office

  • Meet the Team
  • Pride in the Past ... Faith in the Future
  • Organizational Chart

Volunteering / Legal Internships

  • Attorney Volunteers
  • Law Student Volunteers
  • Victim Advocate Volunteer

Employment Opportunities

Ventura County Job Opportunities

Contact Us

Contact Us

Alerts & Advisories

  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – English
  • Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form – Spanish
  • Foreclosure & Loan Modification – English
  • Foreclosure & Loan Modification – Spanish

Divisions

  • Administrative Services
  • Bureau of Investigation
  • Criminal Prosecutions
  • General Prosecutions
  • Justice Services
  • Special Prosecutions
  • Victim and Community Services

News

  • Alerts & Advisories
  • News Releases
  • Notable Cases
  • Photo Albums
  • Public Reports
  • Social Media Terms of Use
  • Term Reports
  • Video Gallery

Links

  • County of Ventura
  • Ventura County Superior Courts
  • Office of the Attorney General
  • Ventura County Sheriff
  • Ventura County Probation Agency
Contact an Advocate

    This form can be used to contact an advocate working in the District Attorney's Office. All fields are required and information received will be stored in a confidential department database. Your personal contact information will only be used to respond to your inquiry. Your message will be forwarded to the responsible party for appropriate handling.



    ©2023 Ventura County District Attorney