News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that George James Salas (DOB 12/03/96), of Simi Valley, has been charged with the second-degree murder of his 11-month-old child Ariya, who died from fentanyl intoxication. Salas is also charged with one count of child abuse resulting in death, and additional drug related charges. Salas faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including the crime involving great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable and a strike prior.

Karina Lucia Yanes (DOB 02/01/96), of Simi Valley, is also charged in Ariya’s death. Yanes faces one felony count of child abuse with the special allegations of resulting in death of the child, the crime involving great violence and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“An 11-month-old child lost her life because she was allegedly exposed to a lethal amount of this synthetic drug,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said.  “We have a duty as prosecutors to hold her parents responsible for this completely avoidable and tragic death.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaden Joseph Pullen (DOB 01/30/98), of Ojai, changed his plea today in a case where he is charged with five sexual assault felonies against two victims. Pullen pled guilty to two counts of forcible rape, one count each of forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14, oral copulation of a person under 18, and unlawful sexual intercourse. He also admitted to the aggravating circumstance of engaging in violent conduct.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office joined a statewide enforcement action resulting in a $3.15 million settlement with Terminix International Inc. and Rentokil North America Inc. (collectively Terminix). The settlement, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, resolves allegations involving the improper handling and disposal of pesticide and hazardous waste, as well as the improper disposal of customer records containing personal information.

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.