News Releases

Sheriff James Fryhoff and District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today the award of a second $2.5 million grant from the United States Department of Justice in support of the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office, applied for this supplemental grant to further efforts that began following receipt of a prior award of $2.5 million in late 2021.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Alliance United Insurance Company, which provides auto and casualty insurance services to consumers throughout California, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit alleging that the company engaged in unfair business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200.  Alliance United specializes in offering non-standard, high-risk auto policies. Many of its clients are from lower income and/or under-represented communities.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 23, 2023, Kai Sommers (DOB 12/26/87), of Ventura, was charged with four felony counts of child sex crimes. The allegations include two counts of human trafficking of a minor, distribution of child sexual assault material and possession of child sexual assault material by someone with a prior conviction. Aggravating circumstances that Sommers served a prior prison sentence were also alleged for all four counts. Sommers pled not guilty to all counts at arraignment.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 17, 2023, Aaron James Mora (DOB 04/14/98), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one felony count of sending harmful matter to a child. He also admitted to the special allegations that the victim was vulnerable and that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense.

On Tuesday, October 10, I joined Ventura County Jewish leaders to publicly condemn the weekend terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli citizens and to express my strong and unequivocal solidarity with the Jewish people during this time of war. I realize how deeply disturbing and upsetting these murders and kidnappings have been to all of us, and I wanted you all to know that the Ventura County District Attorney’s office stands strongly united with Israel.

The intentional, deliberate, and purposeful targeting of civilians—babies, children, women, men, the elderly—was not only an attack on the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, but an assault on all of humanity. We must never remain silent when it happens, for all of us have a moral responsibility to denounce acts of wickedness, violence, and terror. By doing so, we demonstrate our support for a lasting and meaningful peace for Israel and its neighbors, one grounded in justice, mutual respect, tolerance, and common understanding.

Erik Nasarenko
Ventura County District Attorney

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the three remaining defendants who stole more than $572,000 from the Ventura County Fairgrounds in 2022 have been sentenced. The two actual burglars were sentenced to prison, while their lookout/driver was sentenced to a jail term.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Lyle Garner (DOB 10/09/76), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 8 years 8 months prison for three separate felony cases.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Shawn Hernandez (DOB 04/26/92), of Long Beach, was sentenced to 17 years prison. Hernandez was previously convicted by a jury on August 1, 2023, of felony attempted first-degree residential burglary and felony conspiracy to commit first-degree residential burglary. A judge also found true all prior convictions and special allegations.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Daniel Montano (DOB 02/15/94), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 180 days jail, placed on formal probation for two years, and ordered to pay $102,366 in victim restitution. Montano had previously pled guilty on August 2, 2023, to four felony counts of forgery.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on October 6, 2023, Ana Jasmine Vaca-Velazquez (DOB 03/13/86), of Moorpark, pled guilty to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud. 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.