News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that former Los Angeles Police Department detective and convicted rapist Michael Douglas Brambles (DOB 11/27/48), of Santa Maria, pleaded not guilty on September 11, 2026, in connection with the 1994 kidnapping for robbery of a Thousand Oaks business owner. Brambles is charged with kidnapping to commit robbery while personally using a firearm. The complaint also alleges several aggravating circumstances, including that the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication or professionalism, and that Brambles engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC entered into a stipulated judgment in Sonoma County Superior Court and will pay $546,600 in civil penalties, costs, fees, and restitution. The settlement resolves a civil enforcement action brought by the District Attorneys’ Offices of Ventura, Sonoma, and Los Angeles Counties alleging violations of California’s Gift Card Law.

“Every company in California is expected to follow the law, especially when those laws protect California consumers,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Andrew Reid, who prosecuted the case. “Consumers are entitled to request any balance below $15 on a gift card which they lawfully possess.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rejean Morgan Tabor (DOB 06/26/91), of Simi Valley, was found competent to stand trial in the case involving an alleged strangulation attack inside a Simi Valley Target store.

The court’s September 10, 2026, competency finding allows the criminal case to move forward. Tabor remains in custody with bail set at $750,000. He is charged with felony willful, deliberate, premeditated attempted murder, along with two misdemeanor counts of battery, one misdemeanor count of assault, and one misdemeanor count of child abuse for allegedly inflicting injury on a minor.

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.”