News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Zavala (DOB 06/13/85), of Fillmore, was sentenced to the maximum of 100 years to life in state prison for the sexual abuse of two minor victims. Zavala was previously convicted by a jury on November 10, 2025, of three counts of lewd acts upon a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse. Several special allegations were also found true, including that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.

“The imposition of the maximum sentence is warranted by the extreme and horrifying nature of these crimes,” Senior Deputy DA Michael Kern said. “It further sends an unmistakable message that abuse of this kind will not be tolerated in our community.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a Ventura County jury found Leonardo Palafox (DOB 10/13/88), of Ventura, guilty on December 15, 2025, of three felony and three misdemeanor counts for a violent hit and run. The jury convicted Palafox of felony leaving the scene of an accident, two felony counts of cruelty to an animal, destroying or concealing evidence, and two counts of hit and run driving.

“This case presented a terrible set of circumstances for the victims,” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Benjamin said. “Thanks to the thorough investigation done by the Ventura Police Department and Ventura County Crime Laboratory, we were able to hold the defendant accountable for his actions. I hope the jury’s findings help the victims receive some closure to this tragedy.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a review conducted by the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) and the District Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit has determined that a man convicted more than 40 years ago of a 1982 rape in unincorporated Simi Valley was wrongfully convicted.

Recent DNA testing excluded the wrongfully convicted man, Richard Luna, as the individual responsible for the crime. The results identified a different individual whose DNA matched evidence collected from the victim’s sexual assault kit.

“While we can’t undo the past, we can use the power of DNA technology to exonerate the wrongfully convicted,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This case underscores our responsibility as prosecutors to examine the integrity of our convictions and seek justice on behalf of those who served time for crimes they never committed.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a jury has found Sergio Contreras (DOB 01/04/06), of Oxnard, guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, and street terrorism. The jury also found true all special allegations, including causing great bodily injury in the commission of a felony and violent felony street gang activity.

Contreras is scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 24 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with no bail and faces up to 18 years in state prison.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that two Los Angeles County men have been charged for defrauding Ventura County victims in a construction scam. Ben Nino Hunter (DOB 07/08/74), of Hidden Hills, and Moran Elkarif (DOB 12/17/81), of Los Angeles, are charged with seven felony counts of grand theft, conspiracy to defraud another’s property, and diversion of construction funds. They are also charged with two misdemeanor violations for contracting without a license and accepting excessive payment. The charges include special allegations and aggravating factors, including causing an excessive loss of more than $1.3 million, taking advantage of a position of trust, and targeting a particularly vulnerable victim.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Cesar Manuel Zavala (DOB 12/12/85), of Simi Valley, has been charged in a domestic violence case with the attempted murder of his girlfriend. He also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon and the crime involving great violence. Today, Zavala pled not guilty to all charges during his first court appearance. He was also served with a criminal protective order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Zavala is scheduled for an early disposition conference on December 9, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in
courtroom 37 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail. A bail
review hearing is set for December 3, 2025.

Ventura County law enforcement agencies are proud to highlight new findings from the State of the Region Report 2025, published by the Ventura County Civic Alliance, which once again identifies Ventura County as the safest large county in California.

According to the report, Ventura County recorded 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, the lowest overall crime rate among California’s 16 largest counties. Although crime increased slightly from the record low of 2022, Ventura County continues to outperform every other large county in the state, an achievement the Civic Alliance notes is consistent with long-standing trends.

“These data points reflect years of strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies and a shared commitment to proactive, community-focused policing,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The long-term trend is clear, Ventura County remains one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Zarbab Ali (DOB 01/04/97), of Hawthorne, was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Rachel Castillo, the mother of their children. Ms. Castillo was in the process of divorcing the defendant, and the divorce was nearly complete at the time Ali murdered her. The jury also found true the special circumstance that the murder was committed by means of lying in wait and that Ali used a knife. Prior to trial, Ali pled guilty to the felony crime of sexual contact with the victim’s remains after her death. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that all three juveniles charged with hate crime allegations in connection with the August 1, 2025, assault at the Simi Valley Regal Cinema have now been sentenced.

The final minor charged with a hate crime was sentenced on November 19, 2025, to serve 270 days, consisting of 240 days in the locked Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. On November 13, the other two minors charged with a hate crime were each sentenced to serve 240 days, consisting of 210 days in the Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. All three minors were ordered to participate in the Harm to Healing Restorative Justice Program and the Anti-Defamation League Program.