Media Center

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.

Murder Charge Filed in Death of Simi Valley Resident Rachel Castillo

On November 15, 2022, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Zarbab Ali (DOB 01/04/97), of Hawthorne, had been charged with the murder of Simi Valley resident Rachel Castillo. The murder charge was filed in the Ventura County Superior Court. Ali was also charged with a special allegation of lying in wait and personal use of a knife.

A press conference was held to announce the charges and provide an update on the investigation, which was led by the Simi Valley Police Department.

Notable Cases

Lemon Packing Facility Settles Case for Unlawful Release of Air Contaminant
On February 8, 2019, a malfunction of fruit washing equipment at the Association’s facility triggered the release of commercial grade sodium hypochlorite into the air. Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in household bleach and is used to sterilize fruit prior to packing. Two local schools, Blanchard Elementary School and Briggs School, were required to ...
Fisherman Settles Case Involving Diesel Spill at Ventura Harbor
On June 2, 2018, the Ventura Harbor District (VHD) was notified that Albatro was listing in its slip. Upon arriving on scene, VHD observed red dye diesel in the water surrounding the sinking boat. The United States Coast Guard and the VHD immediately performed containment and cleanup efforts to control and collect the fuel spill. ...
Settlement Reached in Fuel Spill at Camarillo Airport
On February 19, 2019, a Sun Air employee was filling a 3,000 gallon mobile refueler truck containing jet A-1 fuel. A refueler overfill protection device malfunctioned, resulting in a significant amount of jet fuel being released into the environment.

News Releases

May 26, 2023
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that charges were filed against, Lathanial Lavar Walker (DOB 02/26/97), for the attempt kidnapping for rape of a 75-year-old woman while she worked in her garden. On May 26, 2023, Walker pled not guilty at arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court. On the morning of May 24, 2023, ...
May 25, 2023
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Probation Agency and Interface Children & Family Services are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Restorative Justice Conferencing, for 10 graduates. The program, titled Transforming Harm to Healing, kicked off in July 2022, and is available for non-violent offenders, ages 12 through 21.
May 23, 2023
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with Merced District Attorney Nicole Silveira, Ventura District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, and Yolo District Attorney Jeff Reisig, today announced a settlement against Walmart over allegations that illegal weapons — specifically brass knuckles — were sold to California consumers by Walmart and by third-party sellers through Walmart’s website. As part of the settlement, Walmart ...
May 19, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Shawn Michael Shirck (DOB 02/23/94), of Ojai, was convicted by jury of two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the 2019 deaths of Margaret Dahl of Oak View, and Phyllis Porter of Georgia. The jury also found true the special allegations that Shirck used a knife to commit the ...
May 19, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Austin Allen Eis (DOB 05/29/98), of Camarillo, pled not guilty today to 24 counts, including murder for the death of 15-year-old Wesley W. of Thousand Oaks. Prior to today’s arraignment, 12 additional counts were added to the charges filed against Eis. On April 18, 2023, a series of criminal acts ...
May 17, 2023
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that a $75,000 judgment was ordered against Watkins Cattle Company over false advertising of their meat products. The civil case, filed in Ventura County Superior Court, centered around beef advertisements claiming to be “from our pasture to your plate.” The meat in many cases did not come from ...

Public Reports

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.
December 17, 2020
Report on the November 7, 2018, Use of Deadly Force by California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Barrett and Ventura County Sheriff’s Sergeant Ronald Helus at the Borderline Bar & Grill Mass Shooting Incident.

Term Reports

Publications

Alerts & Advisories