News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, pled guilty on May 20, 2026, to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas also admitted all special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon, the crime involving great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable, and strike priors.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Antonio Jimenez (DOB 01/08/94), of Oxnard, was arraigned on May 20, 2026, for the 2014 killing of Labh Nigah. Jimenez is charged with one count of murder and three special allegations: personally using a knife in the commission of the offense, that the killing involved great violence, and the victim was particularly vulnerable. He pled not guilty to all charges and special allegations.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mysti Lee Ary (DOB 01/29/77), of Bakersfield, has been held to answer on felony fleeing the scene of an accident causing permanent, serious injury for a June 15, 2025, accident along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On May 11, 2026, following a one-day preliminary hearing, the court found sufficient evidence to hold Ary to answer on the felony count.

Deputy District Attorney Jordan Pitcher, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, is prosecuting the case.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, whose life was permanently impacted by this incident,” said Mr. Pitcher. “Drivers have a responsibility to stop, render aid, and take accountability when someone is seriously injured on our roadways.”

After years of coordinated investigative and forensic work, the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) has now tested more than 2,000 sexual assault kits from agencies throughout Ventura County.

To date, 2,038 sexual assault kits have been tested from an inventory of 2,846 kits countywide dating back to the 1970s. While many of these kits were tested using technologies available at the time, they are now being tested using advanced DNA testing. Through the dedicated efforts of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau, the initiative has uploaded 923 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which has generated 329 CODIS hits connected to potential suspects or linked cases. VCSAKI investigators and prosecutors have investigated and closed 125 cases and notified 21 victims that their case was solved due to advancements in DNA testing.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Stephen Vincent Chavez (01/17/85), of Moorpark, pled guilty to felony incest and misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor. He also admitted he took advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Chavez advanced his previously scheduled court date to plead guilty. Chavez faces a maximum of three years in state prison and a requirement to register as a sex offender for 20 years.

“The DA’s office was pleased to see the defendant taken into custody today and will seek the maximum confinement of three years in state prison at sentencing,” said Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty. “Makayla placed her trust and well-being in the defendant’s care, moving from North Carolina to California to start a new life with him. The defendant violated this trust and shattered the father-daughter relationship in an unimaginable way, conduct for which prison is the only appropriate sentence.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kristian Fonseca (DOB 10/07/98) has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 114 years to life for two first-degree murders and other crimes. A jury found Fonseca guilty on March 20, 2026, of killing Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga. Fonseca was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of being in possession of a firearm less than 10 years after a conviction. All special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including the special circumstance of multiple murders and the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm.

“Fonseca believed he could avoid capture and accountability for his crimes, but through the dedicated work of Detective Anthony Reginato and our law enforcement partners, justice ultimately caught up with him.” said Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller. “This sentence ensures he will spend the rest of his life paying for the devastation he caused to these victims, their families, and the community.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Alexander Rodriguez (DOB 08/09/93), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury of two felony charges related to illegal drug sales. Rodriguez was found guilty of possession of methamphetamine for sale and conspiracy to commit a crime. The jury also found true all charged special allegations and aggravating factors, including the crime involving a large quantity of contraband.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that    Shaohua Sun (DOB 08/20/86), of Monterey Park, CA, and co-defendant Yanwen Gu (DOB 03/20/86) of Rosemead, CA, each pled guilty to felony conspiracy to commit elder abuse. Sun and Gu also admitted to multiple overt acts and special allegations including that the manner in which the crime was committed indicated planning, sophistication, and professionalism, and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Prior to entering his guilty plea on May 7, 2026, Sun surrendered $25,000, representing full restitution in this case. Gu pled guilty on May 11, 2026.

“Thanks to the outstanding investigative work and quick coordination by the Ventura Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, these defendants were stopped before they could further exploit a vulnerable senior citizen,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “These scams are designed to prey on fear and isolation, and they can happen to anyone. We encourage families, neighbors, and caregivers to regularly check in with the elderly members of our community and remind them to never hand over money.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jesus Gonzalez-Arteaga (DOB 05/13/81), of Oxnard, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP), along with additional consecutive prison terms totaling more than 91 years to life. Gonzalez-Arteaga was previously convicted by a jury on April 9, 2026, of six felony counts related to the molestation and rape of a child.

“The sentence imposed today reflects the devastating and lifelong harm caused by the defendant’s actions,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Twyla Atmore said. “Even after being convicted, the defendant has refused to accept responsibility, continuing instead to blame the child he abused in a demonstration of his complete lack of remorse and accountability.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the final defendant in a sophisticated burglary crew responsible for a multi-million dollar heist in Simi Valley has been sentenced.
At the end of April, Sergio Andres Mejia-Machuca (DOB 06/07/98) was sentenced to five years eight months in state prison. With this sentencing, all four members of the burglary crew have now been held accountable for their roles in the coordinated commercial burglaries targeting 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop. In addition, Mejia-Machuca was sentenced for his role in the burglary of Simi Valley Pawn Brokers that occurred two days before the heist at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair.
“These were sophisticated and professional commercial burglars, but they met their match with the Simi Valley Police Department,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “All four defendants have now been held accountable for their brazen behavior, bringing to an end this criminal operation.”