News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that four members of a family-run criminal enterprise have been sentenced to state prison for operating illicit massage businesses, running commercial sex operations and laundering the proceeds through financial institutions, real estate and other assets.

Xiangwei Ma (DOB 07/15/70), identified as the head of the organization, was sentenced to 14 years 8 months in state prison. Xiangdong Ma (DOB 09/10/72) was sentenced to 10 years in state prison. Li Ma (DOB 02/18/66) received a sentence of 5 years 4 months in state prison, and Ming Ma (DOB 10/18/85) was sentenced to 4 years 4 months in state prison.

“Behind the doors of seemingly legitimate massage businesses in Ventura County was a criminal enterprise that exploited vulnerable women and generated enormous profits,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly said. “These convictions send a powerful message: our communities will not be a marketplace for commercial sex, and those who profit from exploiting others will be held accountable.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78) was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison for the 1998 killing of Felipe Arambula in Ventura. Vasquez previously pled guilty on September 30, 2026, to first-degree murder.

“Despite waiting nearly 30 years for justice, the victim’s family never wavered in their belief that one day all the men responsible for the victim’s murder would be successfully prosecuted,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick. “Special thanks to the Ventura Police Department for their dedication and hard work regarding this case, which would not have been solved but for their tireless efforts.”

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Thomas James Syslo (DOB 05/19/92), of Torrance, has been held to answer on the charge of murder for the 2023 fatal fentanyl overdose of Freddy Dijor in Thousand Oaks. Syslo was also held to answer on felony charges for selling fentanyl, possession of fentanyl for sale, and two counts of money laundering. On October 28, 2026, following testimony by the Medical Examiner, a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Crime Analyst, an eyewitness, and law enforcement officers, the court found sufficient evidence to hold Syslo to answer on all charges and aggravating factors.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the appointment of Sara Kulumani as Executive Director of the Ventura County Family Justice Centers. She will lead the Judge Colleen Toy White Family Justice Center in Ventura and two additional centers under development: the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center in Oxnard and the East County Family Justice Center located on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. She will also oversee Safe Harbor, Ventura County’s 24-hour sexual assault response centers.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jan Grissinger (DOB 09/07/73), of Port Hueneme, was charged with three felony counts and multiple special allegations relating to a traffic collision which resulted in the death of Linda Marron. Grissinger is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a collision causing death, and driving under the influence of a drug causing death.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Emmanuel Munoz (DOB 12/13/90), of Oxnard, was found guilty in a court trial on October 27, 2026, of possession of methamphetamine while armed with a loaded firearm and battery against a peace officer.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Romo (DOB 12/17/88), of Oxnard, was sentenced to the maximum possible term of 110 years to life in state prison for the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. Romo was previously convicted by a jury on August 21, 2026, of murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Multiple charged special allegations and aggravating factors, including personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, that Romo was on parole when the crime was committed and two strike priors, were found to be true.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Samuel Matthew Rocha (DOB 01/25/93), of Port Hueneme, was sentenced to 27 years to life in state prison for the second-degree murder of 16-year-old Pedro Valdez and related assault convictions stemming from an April 2021 incident in Port Hueneme.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Abba Avrohom Bryski (DOB 04/28/91) has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Nicholas Lang on October 20, 2026. It is further alleged that Bryski personally used a deadly weapon to commit the murder. He is also charged with resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Hugo Armando Causil Ramos (DOB: 08/07/89) was charged earlier this week with three felony counts, including residential burglary, conspiracy to commit residential burglary, and grand theft of a firearm, in connection with a residential burglary. Causil Ramos is also charged with several special allegations, including theft in concert with others and that the crime included planning and sophistication.