News Releases

Last week child victims of domestic violence and abuse gathered at Camp Daley in Calabasas for the 10th annual Camp Hope. Nearly 60 Ventura County children spanning from ages seven to seventeen attended the five night and six day summer camp. Campers took part in classic camp activities including swimming, arts and crafts, archery, wall climbing, zip lining and singing camp songs around a campfire. In addition, campers engaged with materials created by the Alliance for HOPE International aimed at communicating to each child that there is hope for their future no matter what has happened in their past.

“Children deserve to laugh and play, but for many child victims of crime that gets stolen from them” said Acting Chief Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker, who leads the District Attorney’s Victim and Community Services Division. “At Camp Hope, that sense of play is given back to them with a reminder that they matter and they have a future.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that four men have been charged and arraigned in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking operation accused of delivering fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine into Ventura County.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Hernandez Ruiz (DOB 07/27/87), of Santa Paula, has been charged with conspiracy to transport methamphetamine. Ruiz also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including committing the crime for the benefit of, at the direction of, and in association with a criminal street gang.

Ruiz was incarcerated at the California State Prison, Centinela at the time of these alleged events. He is serving 156 years to life in prison for a 2013 Santa Paula murder and assault on a peace officer.

On July 31, 2025, a Ventura County jury found Gabriel Torres (DOB 04/02/04), of Port Hueneme, guilty of attempted murder. The jury also found true the special allegation that Torres personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the crime, as well as allegations that he inflicted great bodily injury, committed the offense with great violence, was armed with a weapon at the time of the offense, and engaged in violent conduct indicating a serious danger to society.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Dustin Ronald Alba (DOB 08/02/94), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 111 years to life in state prison for the rape and sexual assault of five women. On June 9, 2025, a jury convicted Alba of nine felony counts of forcible sex acts, including rape, sodomy, and attempted forcible rape. The jury also found true several special allegations and aggravating factors, including there being multiple victims, the victims were vulnerable, and Alba abused a position of trust. Four of Alba’s victims provided victim impact statements to the court at today’s sentencing hearing.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Leann Guzman (DOB 07/06/98), of Oxnard, and Richard Mendez (DOB 05/31/99), of Oxnard, have been convicted of carjacking and robbery following a violent incident in Oxnard earlier this year. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were also found true, including a strike prior.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jenifer Singh, AKA Jenifer Rios (DOB 11/02/78), of Thousand Oaks, pled guilty to two felony counts of grand theft of personal property.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Trinity Trenay Stewart (DOB 09/01/99), of Ventura, has been charged with false imprisonment, child endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She also faces aggravating factors, including that the victim was vulnerable. Stewart was arraigned this afternoon and pled not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors objected to a defense request for Stewart to be released on her own recognizance and she remains in custody with bail set at $100,000.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Luis Fernando Piceno (DOB 08/21/96), of Moorpark, was sentenced to five years, four months in state prison for the DUI crash where he struck two Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) officers in their patrol vehicles. Piceno previously pled guilty on June 16, 2025, to DUI with a .08% blood alcohol causing injury. He also admitted to three special allegations: causing great bodily injury (GBI) in commission of a felony, causing injury to more than one victim, and a drunk driving prior.

Deputy District Attorney Jillian Ewan, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit, prosecuted the case.

“This case shows the devastating and lasting consequences of impaired driving,” Ms. Ewan said. “We are thankful the officers are alive today. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to holding impaired drivers accountable and keeping Ventura County safe.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Salvador Pena Martinez (DOB 05/11/81), of Oxnard, was sentenced on July 21, 2025, to 25 years, four months in state prison for the violent assault of his girlfriend in 2020. Martinez previously pled guilty on April 21, 2025, to inflicting corporal injury, kidnapping, criminal threats, arson of an inhabited structure, evading an officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, all of which are felonies. Martinez also admitted to dozens of special allegations and aggravating factors, including causing great bodily injury, that the victim was vulnerable, and strike priors.