News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Albertsons and Vons entered into a stipulated judgment and will pay $3,962,500 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging the companies engaged in false advertising and unfair competition for repeated price accuracy violations. Albertsons Companies, Safeway Inc., and The Vons Companies operate 589 stores in California.

The action was filed in Marin County Superior Court on behalf of the District Attorney’s Offices of Ventura, Marin, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Sonoma, and Alameda Counties. The civil complaint alleged that the companies unlawfully charged customers higher prices than their lowest advertised or posted price. Additionally, some stores were alleged to have sold fresh produce, meat, and bakery items at prices that included the weight of the packaging itself, or for more than the weight of the actual item.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, has been charged with murder for the stabbing death of Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas is also charged with two counts of child endangerment and strike enhancements.

Rivas made his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on October 1, 2024. His arraignment was continued to October 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13. He remains in custody with no bail.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1831, strengthening laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content. Authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman and co-sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, AB 1831 addresses the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology capable of creating images indistinguishable from traditional photographs, including CSAM.

“Assemblymember Berman, with his keen understanding of the dangers posed by deepfake technology, was instrumental in guiding this bill to signature,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Today, a dangerous AI loophole has now been closed.”

Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) announced $1,243,744 in new federal grants to improve public safety, law enforcement response, and support for victims of crimes in Ventura County.

The majority of the funding comes through grant programs created through the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which Rep. Carbajal helped revive in 2022 after expiring under the previous administration.

“These funds are going to help ensure that there is a fulltime prosecutor at the Ventura County Family Justice Center,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “They will not only advise clients and law enforcement but will also provide direct assistance for domestic violence survivors seeking criminal prosecution.”

A crucial measure that closes a legal loophole in California’s sexual battery laws, Senate Bill 442, has been signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Monique Limón and sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, SB 442 expands the definition of misdemeanor sexual battery to include instances where a perpetrator forces a victim to touch the intimate body part of the perpetrator or another person.

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2432, authored by California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, and strongly supported by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. AB 2432 will allow state courts to levy increased monetary penalties on corporations convicted of criminal offenses. Such penalties would, in turn, provide much-needed funding for crime victim service programs in California. These programs provide free medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages, courtroom advocacy, and temporary housing, to victims and their families.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Steven Wayne Bower (DOB 03/22/1970), of Ojai, was convicted by a jury of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child. The jury also found true several special allegations, including Bower having substantial sexual conduct and there being multiple victims.

Bower is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 24 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He is being held without bail in Ventura County Jail and faces a maximum of 45 years to life in state prison.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Joel James Gonzales (DOB 02/11/96), of Ventura, was sentenced to 16 years 8 months in state prison. He previously pled guilty to one count of felony lewd acts on a dependent adult and was convicted by a jury on July 22, 2024, of the attempted murder of a six-year-old girl, felony assault with intent to commit rape during a burglary, and misdemeanor aggravated trespassing. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were also found true, including Gonzales causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony, the crime involving great violence, the victim being vulnerable, and the defendant taking advantage of a position of trust.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has charged Michael Thomas McDevitt (DOB 11/24/81), of Simi Valley, with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal fentanyl overdose of Thousand Oaks resident Karissa Robinson. He is also charged with furnishing fentanyl and furnishing methamphetamine with the special allegation that he caused great bodily injury. McDevitt pled not guilty at his arraignment.

Wire fraud in real estate transactions is rapidly increasing, posing a significant threat to both buyers and sellers. According to the FBI, fraudsters are increasingly employing sophisticated social engineering techniques to infiltrate real estate transactions by impersonating trusted parties such as escrow officers, real estate agents, title representatives, and other key figures. This type of fraud typically occurs through electronic communications, with emails being the primary medium.

Once fraudsters gain access to the transaction, they often target crucial monies like buyer’s closing funds, seller’s proceeds, lender’s funds, and even broker commissions. By intercepting or manipulating communication, they deceive the parties into wiring money to fraudulent accounts, often leaving victims with significant financial losses and little recourse.

“Our office is committed to protecting residents from these sophisticated scams,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “We urge the public to stay vigilant, verify information with trusted sources, and be cautious before transferring any funds.”