News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Simranjit Singh Sekhon (DOB 01/07/90), of Bakersfield, has been held to answer on charges of rape of an unconscious person and kidnapping to commit rape. On April 15, 2026, following testimony by both the victim and the investigating detective, the court found sufficient evidence to hold Sekhon to answer on both counts and aggravating factors.

Sekhon is scheduled to be arraigned on the information April 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He is out of custody after posting $500,000 bond.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko testified this week before the California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources in support of Assembly Bill 2075 (AB 2075), legislation aimed at strengthening wildfire prevention laws and clarifying fire safety requirements during vegetation clearing operations.

The bill passed unanimously out of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 14-0 vote as amended and will now be re-referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Baum (01/11/67), of Fairlawn, Ohio, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of forcible rape. An aggravating factor that the crime involved great violence was also found to be true.

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

“This verdict affirms that survivors of sexual violence have the right to be heard, believed, and protected, and that those who commit these crimes will be held accountable,” Ms. McAndrew said. “It is my hope that this outcome brings the victim of this case a meaningful measure of justice.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Heriberto Baez (DOB 10/02/86), of Ventura, has been charged with two counts of felony workers’ compensation insurance fraud and one count of felony attempted perjury.

Baez’s pled not guilty to all charges at today’s arraignment. He is scheduled for an early disposition conference on June 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains out of custody on his own recognizance.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jesus Gonzalez-Arteaga (DOB 05/13/81), of Oxnard, was convicted on April 9, 2026, of six felony counts related to the molestation and rape of a child. The jury found Gonzalez-Arteaga guilty of continuous sexual abuse, three counts of unlawful acts with a child 10 years and under, forcible rape, and possession of child sexual abuse material. All special allegations and aggravating circumstances were found true, including that he inflicted great bodily injury during the commission of forcible rape. This aggravating circumstance makes Gonzalez-Arteaga’s sentence mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP).

Senior Deputy District Attorney Twyla Atmore, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case. “The defendant committed the ultimate betrayal of a child he was supposed to protect,” Ms. Atmore said. “Although the victim will likely suffer with the memories of her abuse for the rest of her life, the jury’s swift and just verdict ensures the defendant will never hurt another child.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Willis Nichols (DOB 03/15/03), of Oxnard, has been sentenced to 94 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Adrian Sandoval and other crimes. The jury found Nichols guilty of seven felony charges stemming from two separate shootings in Oxnard in December 2021 and March 2022. He was convicted on March 6, 2026, 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.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, prosecuted the case.

“While the defendant is young, he is a very dangerous man,” Ms. Pollara said. “The court’s sentence and the findings of the jury reflect the danger he presents to society. The defendant refused to control himself during trial and sentencing, laughing out loud when pictures of the deceased victim were shown, including during victim impact statements and in the presence of Mr. Sandoval’s 3-year-old child.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Jonah Slatky (DOB 04/19/72), of Somis, has been charged with six counts of felony workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud, with an alleged loss of approximately $519,000. The complaint further alleges a special enhancement for losses exceeding $100,000, as well as aggravating factors including that the crime involved both attempted and actual taking, and was carried out with planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

The case was investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Joann Roth.

If convicted, Slatky faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison. The enhancement, if found true, makes a prison sentence mandatory.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Zuberi Kalaikulokahiokalani Sharp (DOB 03/26/00), of Newbury Park, pled guilty on March 30, 2026, to second-degree murder in the killing of his 15-year-old half-brother, Zayde. Sharp also admitted the special allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury and the aggravating factors of using a weapon to commit the crime and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy for a family that has already endured so much,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said. “While nothing can undo the loss of Zayde, this resolution spares his loved ones from having to relive these horrific events through a lengthy and painful jury trial.”

Sharp is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail and faces 15 years to life in state prison.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Coalition for Family Harmony will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 6, 2026, to mark the opening of a new domestic violence shelter at the Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC). This critical expansion adds 10 shelter spaces and provides a 15-to 20-day safe housing option for survivors, located just steps from the comprehensive, trauma-informed services available at the FJC.