News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a minor has been charged with three felony counts in juvenile court for the near-fatal shooting at Five Guys in Oxnard where an innocent bystander was wounded. The 17-year-old is charged with shooting at an occupied building, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and buying or receiving a firearm against a court order. The teenager also faces two special allegations for intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and personally using a firearm. He was arraigned in juvenile court and denied all charges.

The minor was 16 years old at the time of the alleged offense. Prosecutors filed a motion to transfer this case from the juvenile court to the adult court.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ivar Laegreid (DOB 06/27/58), of Oxnard, was sentenced on November 5, 2026, to six years four months in state prison. Prosecutors were asking for 12 years eight months in prison. Laegreid was previously convicted by a jury on October 8, 2026, of seven felony counts related to drugs sales and his possession of a ghost gun.

Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The defendant brought large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine into Ventura County and sold them while armed with a ghost gun,” Mr. Mirchi said. “We are glad the defendant has been held accountable for the danger he posed to our community.”

Governor Newsom’s decision to commute existing death sentences in California directly impacts the families of 15 victims in Ventura County. These were the most heinous and horrific crimes in our county over the past fifty years, and the victims’ families have endured unimaginable loss, grief and suffering.

These death sentences were imposed after a jury carefully considered the evidence, facts and circumstances of each individual case. They represent years of courtroom proceedings, appeals and judicial review.

Life without the possibility of parole is a severe punishment, but it was not the sentence determined in a courtroom for these 15 cases, and it replaces the decision-making authority of the judge and jury with gubernatorial discretion. That is what the California Constitution allows, but our responsibility as prosecutors is to seek justice, stand with victims and their families and uphold the rule of law and will of the voters. As the California Supreme Court reviews many of these commuted sentences, I encourage the justices to carefully evaluate each eligible case and reach its own independent decision. 

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Pedro Ocampo Alvarez (DOB 06/29/68), of Oxnard, was convicted on November 4, 2026, of 11 felony counts of child molestation. Alvarez waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a court trial conducted by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Paul Feldman. Judge Feldman found Alvarez guilty of four counts of lewd acts upon a child, three counts of using a child for sex acts, two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child 10 years old and under, and one count each of oral copulation with a child 10 years and under and possession of child pornography. The special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victim being particularly vulnerable were found to be true.

Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“I am deeply grateful to the victim for her bravery and strength throughout this process,” Ms. McCarty said. “Coming forward and participating in the pursuit of justice takes tremendous courage and I hope this conviction brings her closure and the justice she so rightfully deserves.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the results of Operation Night Fall, a countywide enforcement operation targeting individuals suspected of producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material (child pornography). The operation was conducted from September 21, 2026, through October 8, 2026, by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Oxnard Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, Ventura Police Department, California State Parole, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the operation, investigators served 24 search warrants, including seven at residential locations, to gather evidence related to these investigations. Seven individuals were arrested in Ventura County in connection with the operation.

“Protecting children from sexual exploitation is a central mission for our office and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to harm them,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Operation Night Fall demonstrates the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts in identifying offenders, securing critical evidence, and holding those accused accountable.”

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.