News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Hurtado (DOB 03/30/93), of Santa Paula, pled guilty on June 16, 2025, to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms. Hurtado changed his plea just ahead of trial, admitting to one count of cruelty to an animal and possession of a hard drug. He also admitted to all special allegations and aggravating factors including a prior strike and that the sea lion was vulnerable.

“Ventura County was outraged by the violence this defendant inflicted on a defenseless animal,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “The nature of this senseless attack shocked our conscience and called for aggressive prosecution.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Hector Murrillo (DOB 10/14/95), of Oxnard, pled guilty on June 12, 2025, to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud.

Murrillo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater. The District Attorney’s Office will be seeking restitution on behalf of Progressive Insurance.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kevin Ray James (DOB 09/23/67), of San Bernardino, was sentenced on June 13, 2025, to 19 years to life in state prison for the 1997 murder of Monica Leech during an armed bank robbery in Thousand Oaks. James previously pled guilty on May 16, 2025, and admitted that he personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime.

Monica’s family, friends, and co-workers spoke at the sentencing hearing, providing victim impact statements.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Simi Valley Police Chief Steve Shorts held a news conference today, announcing the arrests and charges filed against four members of a sophisticated burglary crew. Manuel David Ibarra, Sergio Andres Meji-Machuca, Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara, and Heidy Nickolt Trujillo are each charged with four felony counts. Two counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and two counts of Conspiracy to receive stolen property in connection with the May 25, 2025, break-in at 5-Star Jewelry store and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee shop in Simi Valley. The defendants also face special allegations of excessive loss over $3 million, and theft or damage in concert with others. These special allegations are newly allowed thanks to voter approved proposition 36.

The Simi Valley Police Department and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will hold a joint news conference to announce the arrests and charges filed against four individuals in connection with the May 25, 2025, burglary of 5 Star Jewelry in Simi Valley.

The arrests were made on June 10, 2025, following an investigation by the Simi Valley Police Department, with charges filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on June 12. Chief Shorts and District Attorney Nasarenko will provide an overview of the investigation and charges during the news conference, which will take place at the scene of the crime.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ricardo Fausto Nunez (DOB 12/24/84), of Moorpark, has been charged after his 10-year-old son allegedly brought live ammunition to school. Nunez faces 11 felonies, including two counts of possession of an assault weapon and nine counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine. He also faces one misdemeanor count of child endangerment. The complaint includes a special allegation that the victim was particularly vulnerable. Nunez was arraigned on June 10, 2025, in Ventura County Superior Court, where he pled not guilty to all charges.

“This case is a stark reminder of the importance of safely storing all firearms and ammunition, especially when children are in the home,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Gun owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their weapons are secured and inaccessible to minors. Failing to do so puts everyone at risk, particularly our children.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that    Dustin Ronald Alba (DOB 08/02/94), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on June 9, 2025, of nine felony counts of forcible sex acts, including rape, sodomy, and attempted forcible rape, on five separate victims. The jury also found true several special allegations and aggravating factors, including there being multiple victims, the victim was vulnerable, and Alba took advantage of a position of trust.

Alba’s crimes took place from 2012 to 2020, occurring in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and Los Angeles. The victims, many of whom met Alba through dating apps or social media, describe dating or messaging with Alba before being forced into sexual acts, despite repeated pleas for him to stop. He would use his body weight to pin down the victims and ignore their objections.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that two Oxnard teenagers, 14 and 15 years old, have been charged with the murder of Davy Glen Pichel. The juveniles were in court this morning for arraignment. The Court ordered both minors detained at the Juvenile Facility. At the request of their attorneys, their arraignments were continued to June 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. in J3.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christian Alexandre Hillairet (DOB 09/02/99), of Ojai, has been charged with two counts of murder for the May 2025 killing of Carolyn Nino De Rivera and the 2023 death of William Thompson, a City of Ventura resident. Prosecutors have filed several special allegations against Hillairet, including commission of more than one murder, use of a deadly weapon, and a strike prior.

“The defendant’s alleged actions reflect a chilling pattern of violence and cruelty,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “Our office is committed to securing justice for these victims and prosecuting Hillairet to the fullest extent of the law.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Alfredo Vasquez (DOB 07/27/99), of Moorpark, has been convicted by a jury for a gang attack on a Simi Valley hiking trail. The jury found Vasquez guilty on June 4, 2025, of assault with a deadly weapon and found true the special allegations of the crime being gang related and causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony. Judge Paul Baelly found true three additional aggravating factors: the crime involved great violence, the defendant was armed with and used a weapon, and the defendant has engaged in violent conduct.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crime Gang Unit, prosecuted the case.

“Ventura County residents should feel safe and secure while hiking on our beautiful trails, not worried about encountering gang violence,” Ms. Moyer said. “We would like to thank the jurors for their careful and thoughtful deliberation, holding the defendant accountable for this vicious, gang-motivated attack.”