News Releases

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Mary Eugenia Karacas (DOB 01/16/41), of Simi Valley, pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter for the unlawful killing of Salvatore Orefice, also of Simi Valley. Karacas also admitted she personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime. In a separate case, Karacas pled guilty to one count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury for attacking and biting Erin Edwards of Ojai.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Peter John Codella (DOB 03/05/56), of Oxnard, was charged with the murder of Matias Lopez, of Oxnard. The complaint charges one count of murder with a special allegation that Codella personally used his vehicle as a deadly weapon. Codella was also charged with fleeing the scene of an accident causing death.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Savannah Millar-Cardiel (DOB 02/12/94) and Jason Aaron Rodriguez (DOB 09/24/93), both of Moorpark, pled guilty to felony automobile insurance fraud. Rodriguez also pled guilty to hit-and-run driving.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Branden Lackie (DOB 11/31/91), of Simi Valley, has been charged with arson and the murder of David Crammond, also of Simi Valley.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Oscar Garcia, age 18, of Oxnard, admitted the April 22, 2018 second-degree murder of Jose Lopez that occurred in the city of Oxnard. Garcia also admitted the allegations that he used a gun, and for the benefit of a criminal street gang. Garcia also admitted the May 20, 2018 second-degree murder of Adrian Ornelas that also occurred in the city of Oxnard. Garcia was 15 years old when he committed both crimes and was prosecuted as a juvenile.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Lisa Cohen (DOB 12/23/66), of Oak Park, was charged with being mandated to report elder abuse and failing to do so.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that former Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Leonard Herrera Lopez (DOB 08/06/71), pled no contest to two misdemeanor offenses involving a female inmate at the Ventura County Jail. Lopez was charged with engaging in consensual sexual activity with a female inmate, a violation of Penal Code section 289.6(a)(2), and with entering the cell of the same female inmate without another employee present, in violation of Penal Code section 4021(b).

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Fernando Jarquin (DOB 05/30/84), has been charged with the murder of Karla Cabrera, of Oxnard. The complaint charges one count of murder with a special allegation that Jarquin personally used a knife in the commission of the crime.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Luis Aceves (DOB 03/23/56), of Camarillo, was sentenced on May 25, 2021, to 12 years in state prison for the killing of his brother, Gilbert Aceves, also of Camarillo. On April 27, 2021, Luis Aceves pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and admitted an allegation that he personally used a knife during the crime.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodolfo Fernandez Franco (DOB 03/20/81), of Oxnard, has been arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes dating back to 2003. Franco is charged with one count of forcible rape, two counts of forcible oral copulation, and one count of assault with intent to commit rape.