News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that William Justin Koznar (DOB 04/27/88), of Moorpark, has pled guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter for the death of Sara Marie Goodwin. The change of plea hearing was held on March 24, 2026. Koznar also admitted to the special allegations of the crime involving great violence and the victim was particularly vulnerable. Koznar agreed to the stipulated sentence of 11 years in state prison in exchange for his guilty plea.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the filing of felony charges against Yanwen Gu (DOB 03/20/86) of Rosemead, CA, and Shaohua Sun (DOB 08/20/86) of Monterey Park, CA. Gu and Sun have been charged with multiple felonies including conspiracy to commit grand theft and attempted grand theft for their alleged roles in an elder fraud scheme. Gu and Sun were arraigned on March 23, 2026, and pleaded not guilty.

Gu and Sun are scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 2, 2026, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Both Gu and Sun are currently in custody on $500,000 bail. The court also granted a motion to examine any source of bail tendered on behalf of the defendants to ensure it did not come from alleged criminal proceeds.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum of the Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit. If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of this fraud or a similar scam, please contact District Attorney Investigator Eric Jensen at (805) 662-1750.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Kenneth Judd (DOB 04/08/57), of Simi Valley, has been charged with three counts of felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud.

Judd was arraigned on the information on March 18, 2026, and is scheduled for a pretrial conference hearing on April 13, 2026, in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He is out of custody on his own recognizance.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jordan Corrales (DOB 12/29/01), of Oxnard, was sentenced on March 25, 2026, to seven years and four months in state prison after being convicted by a jury in two separate cases involving vehicle theft, domestic violence, and a high-speed pursuit.

“We are pleased that the jury reached a swift and decisive verdict,” Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Horlick said. “It reflects the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of the offense. The sentence imposed sends a clear message that these crimes will not be treated lightly. In this case, upper term was appropriate given the facts and the defendant’s criminal history, to ensure accountability and protect the community.”

A Santa Clara County judge has ordered CarMax Auto Superstores, Inc. to pay $1.1 million to resolve a consumer protection action alleging the company failed to timely transfer vehicle registrations and ownership documents for used car buyers across California.

The settlement resolves a civil enforcement lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by the District Attorney’s Offices of Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, Sonoma, San Francisco, and Santa Clara Counties. Prosecutors alleged that CarMax violated California law by failing to submit applications to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within the statutory deadlines and failing to timely deliver certificates of ownership to consumers.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kristian Fonseca (DOB 10/07/98), of Oxnard, has been convicted of two first-degree murder charges and other crimes. A jury found Fonseca guilty of killing Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga. Fonseca was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of being in possession of a firearm less than 10 years after a conviction. All special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including the special circumstance of multiple murders and the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Justice in this case took time, but the victims’ families never lost faith in the process,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller, who prosecuted the case. “They showed tremendous patience and strength in the face of unimaginable loss. We are grateful to the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their service. Today’s verdict ensures the defendant will never again be a danger to society.”

Fonseca is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 26 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that prosecutors have filed an amended complaint against Marisol Flores (DOB 09/11/95), of Oxnard, adding charges related to a second alleged infant homicide.

The amended complaint filed March 10, 2026, in Ventura County Superior Court, adds one count of murder and one count of assault on a child causing death stemming from the alleged 2015 death of an infant.

Flores was previously charged in connection with the alleged February 8, 2026, killing of her newborn baby at a homeless encampment along West Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard. During the investigation into the 2026 case, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reopened a previous investigation into the November 2015 death of Flores’ 25-day-old baby. New evidence was uncovered that led investigating deputies to believe Flores had killed that infant as well.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Willis Nichols (DOB 03/15/03), of Oxnard, has been convicted of seven felony charges stemming from two separate shootings in Oxnard in December 2021 and March 2022, including the first-degree murder of Adrian Sandoval. The jury found Nichols guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, attempted murder, and three counts of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were also found to be true, including personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, causing great bodily injury, and that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

“We appreciate the jury’s hard work in carefully considering the evidence involving six victims across seven charges and the related allegations,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara said. “Willis Nichols has shown a pattern of serious criminal behavior, and we will be seeking a sentence that reflects the severity of the crimes he committed.”

Nichols is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 45 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail and faces 159 years to life in state prison. Due to his age at the time of the crime, California law will provide this convicted murderer with a chance at youthful offender parole after just 24 years in prison.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention and advocacy group, hosted the “Safer Together” Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) Symposium at the Ventura County Government Center. The symposium brought together prosecutors, city attorneys, law enforcement leaders, and mental health and violence prevention advocates to advance implementation of California’s evolving firearm safety laws.

The symposium comes months after Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1344 into law, authorizing a pilot program in Ventura, Alameda, El Dorado, and Santa Clara counties that allows district attorneys to directly petition the court for GVROs. GVROs temporarily suspend a person’s legal access to firearms when they are found to pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others and less restrictive alternatives are inappropriate. The bill was authored by California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that three of the four members of a sophisticated burglary crew were sentenced on February 20, 2026. The crew is responsible for the coordinated commercial burglary on May 25, 2025, at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop in Simi Valley.

Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years four months in the Ventura County Jail. Heidi Trujillo was sentenced to four years in jail. The fourth defendant, Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca, had his sentencing hearing continued to March 26, 2026.