News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Anthony Casten (DOB 07/26/86), of Moorpark, has been charged with a hate crime for his actions targeting members of the Masjid Omar Muhammad Mosque in Moorpark. Casten is charged with one felony count of a violation of civil rights and one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace by challenging to fight. He made his first court appearance for arraignment on October 8, 2026, and pled not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, was sentenced to 365 days in Ventura County Jail, over the objection by prosecutors. Reb previously pled 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.

“A one-year county jail sentence for taking the lives of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez is inconsistent with the gross negligence of the crime,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Nuñez. “The defendant was driving nearly twice the posted speed limit, and two people lost their lives as a result. Our office sought a state prison sentence that reflected the gravity of these crimes and the devastating impact on the victims’ family.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Pedro Munoz (DOB 07/01/83), of Ventura, pled guilty on October 5, 2026, to the first-degree murder of Marcos Guzman Reyes. Munoz also admitted several special allegations and factors in aggravation, including the use of a deadly weapon, the crime involving great violence and that he was on parole at the time he committed the murder.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Khambray Antoine Holloway (DOB 04/26/92), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on September 30, 2026, of filing a false or forged document to steal ownership of an Oxnard home.

“This case was about trying to take a $4.8 million home with a few pieces of paper,” Deputy District Attorney Meighann Mahoney said. “The defendant claimed an ownership interest he did not have and then used it in a deed. This conviction recognizes the importance of protecting the integrity of our public records and holding people accountable when they knowingly use false information to try to obtain someone else’s property.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko that strengthens wildfire prevention requirements during vegetation clearing operations and clarifies responsibility for complying with fire safety laws.

Assembly Bill 2075, authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett and sponsored by District Attorney Nasarenko, was introduced in response to the 2024 Mountain Fire in Ventura County. The Mountain Fire burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures after a smaller vegetation fire caused during a brush clearing effort reignited days later due to lingering hot debris.

AB 2075 establishes clear, consistent requirements for fire suppression equipment during vegetation clearing operations. The law requires basic firefighting tools, including shovels and fire extinguishers, to be attached to or carried in a motor vehicle while performing brush clearance. Workers on foot using power tools must also have a fire extinguisher within 25 feet and a sufficient number of shovels readily available.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78) pled guilty on September 30, 2026, to first-degree murder for the 1998 killing of Felipe Arambula in Ventura.

“I was glad to see the defendant take responsibility for his role in the murder of Felipe Arambula at an early stage in the proceedings,” Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick said. “The victim’s family has suffered so much since Mr. Arambula’s life was tragically taken from him in June 1998. This conviction won’t replace the time that the defendant and his conspirators stole from Mr. Arambula’s family, but I do hope it will bring them the peace they deserve.”

Vasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2026, to 25 years to life in state prison. He remains in custody without bail.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Brent William Bischoff (DOB 02/23/89), of Simi Valley, has been charged in two cases involving eight victims, with multiple human trafficking related charges. Across the two cases, Bischoff now faces seven felony counts of causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act, six felony counts of pandering a minor 16 or older, one felony count of pandering a minor under 16, one felony count of pandering by encouraging, and seven misdemeanor counts of child annoyance. He is also charged with felony forgery involving a fictitious or altered bill, note or check.

“These charges involve the exploitation of children, and our office will do everything in its power to prosecute individuals who target vulnerable young people for commercial sex,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Parents and families should know that we are committed to protecting children and vigorously charging those who prey on them.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Derek Hansen Skinner (DOB 02/20/92), of Santa Paula, has been held to answer by a Ventura County Superior Court judge for a DUI crash that injured his passenger and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer. Skinner is charged with DUI of an alcoholic beverage causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher and causing injury. He is also charged with special allegations of causing great bodily injury (GBI) in commission of a felony and causing injury to more than one victim.