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.
News Releases
Simi Valley Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 21, 2023, Euren Balbuena (DOB 11/29/90), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend Zaira Patino-Trejo. The jury also found Balbuena guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against the victim’s mother and battery causing great bodily… Read More
Ventura Man Convicted of Possessing Fentanyl for Sale
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Shiloh Chenoweth (DOB 02/12/84), of Ventura, was convicted by a jury of two felony counts: possession of fentanyl for sale, and possession of methamphetamine for sale. The defendant admitted the special allegations that he had a prior “serious” felony conviction, which also qualified as… Read More
Oxnard Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Murder, Several Robberies
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Osvaldo Hernandez (DOB 05/22/99), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder for a shooting that killed Robert De La Cerda. He also pled guilty to one count of attempted robbery, three counts of robbery, and one count of unlawful… Read More
Alnaji Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment
Today, November 17, 2023, Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, pled not guilty at arraignment to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. Alnaji also denied the special allegations that he personally inflicted great bodily injury. Read More
Watch News Conference
On Friday November 17, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff held a news conference regarding the arrest and the charges filed against Loay Alnaji in the death of Paul Kessler. Read More
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Video Gallery
Ventura County District Attorney and Sheriff Joint Press Conference January 18, 2023
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
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…
2011 People v. Ricardo Villa
Victim Beatrice Bellis, age 87, was deaf and functionally mute. She lived at the Mar Vista apartment complex, an elder care facility located in Port Hueneme, California. In June 1993, an unknown assailant slipped into her unlocked apartment, stabbed her repeatedly with a large kitchen knife, and raped her as she bled to death. The…
Public Reports
September 8, 2023
Report on the October 4, 2020, shooting of Austin Manzano by Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Robert Medina and Gregory Tougas.
December 9, 2021
Report on the November 5, 2020 Shooting of Javier Magaña by Ventura Police Officer Joaquin Ortega.
February 12, 2021
Report on the July 5, 2019, shooting of Joshua Ortiz by California Highway Patrol Officer Timothy Putzel.