News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gerardo Arroyo Almanza (DOB 04/23/89), of Simi Valley, was sentenced to 39 years 4 months to life in state prison for the murder of his father, Alfredo Arroyo Sancen. Almanza previously pled guilty on August 3, 2026, to second-degree murder and three counts of criminal threats against additional family members. He also admitted to a prior strike offense and a special allegation for the use of a weapon.

Family members provided victim impact statements to the court, including Jose Iglesias-Arroyo, who spoke about the profound personal impact of the loss of his grandfather.

“To me this is not just a case or a headline, this is my grandfather, this is my family,” Iglesias-Arroyo said.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that   Ronald Wilson (DOB 10/23/52), of Timnath, Colorado, was remanded into custody without bail after the court found he violated the terms of his pretrial release in his pending sexual assault case. Wilson is currently charged with 13 felony counts involving four alleged victims. The charges stem from allegations dating back to Wilson’s time as a teacher and wrestling coach at Oxnard High School in the 1990s and as recently as 2016 at Camarillo High School.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ze Li (DOB 04/10/91), of Fremont, was charged with stealing $20,000 from an elderly Ventura County resident as part of an alleged computer fraud scam. Li is charged with one felony count each of grand theft, theft from an elder or dependent adult, attempted grand theft, attempted theft from an elder or dependent adult, and two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime. The charges include special allegations that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that the manner in which the crimes were carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

Li was arraigned on August 31, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, pleaded guilty on August 28, 2026, to two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb also admitted the special allegation that the crime is a serious felony.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez lost their lives because of a reckless decision to drive at an extremely dangerous speed, and their family will have to live with that loss forever,” said Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller. “This guilty plea holds Mr. Reb accountable for his actions and the tragic consequences they caused.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Timothy Wade Hensley (DOB 07/03/75), of Ventura, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for child molestation. Hensley was previously convicted by a jury on July 31, 2026, of one felony count of continuous sexual abuse. The court found true the aggravating factors of taking advantage of a position of trust and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“The victim and her family showed tremendous courage in coming forward and participating in this process,” Deputy District Attorney Julia McAndrew said. “Crimes against children are unacceptable, and we will continue to work to hold those who commit these offenses accountable. We hope that today’s outcome brings the victim a measure of justice and allows her to move forward with the support and safety that she deserves.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaime Torres (DOB 05/25/84), of Santa Paula, was sentenced to 29 years to life in state prison. Torres was previously convicted by a jury on June 24, 2026, of continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and lewd acts upon a child. All aggravating factors were found true, which included the victim being particularly vulnerable and Torres taking advantage of a position of trust.

“This defendant was entrusted with protecting a child but instead betrayed that trust in the most unconscionable way,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno said. “Today’s sentence is a just consequence for that betrayal. I applaud the victim for the extraordinary courage and strength she has shown throughout this process, and I hope this sentence brings her the justice and closure she so profoundly deserves.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Armando Liborio De La Mora (DOB 10/11/93), of Oxnard, was sentenced on August 25, 2026, to 365 days in Ventura County Jail and domestic violence probation after pleading guilty to five domestic violence charges. De La Mora previously pled guilty on June 18, 2026, to two felony counts of inflicting corporal injury on a girlfriend, one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, and misdemeanor counts of disobeying a domestic relations court order and violating a protective order. De La Mora also admitted to three aggravating circumstances for each of the felony counts, including the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and De La Mora engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Johnson (DOB 03/17/68), of Ojai, has been charged with six felony counts of child molestation against multiple victims. He faces four counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of continuous sexual abuse along with the special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victims being under 14 years old. Johnson was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court and pled not guilty to all charges.

Johnson, who worked as both a pastor and massage therapist, is accused of molesting two children under the age of 14. The abuse is alleged to have happened over several years at locations in Ojai and Oxnard. He had access to the children through a familial relationship.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Samuel Matthew Rocha (DOB 01/25/93), of Port Hueneme, pled guilty on August 24, 2026, to second-degree murder in the death of Pedro Valdez. Rocha had previously been convicted by a jury in April of four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of battery. The jury was unable to reach verdicts on the remaining counts. The jury found the special allegation of causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony to be true. Now, four months later, Rocha pled guilty to murder and admitted to using his car as a deadly weapon.

“Rocha made the deliberate decision to use his vehicle as a weapon, killing 16-year-old Pedro Valdez and injuring four other young bicyclists,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Simon said. “This conviction holds him accountable and brings a measure of justice to Pedro, his family, and the other victims.”