News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has issued a cease and desist demand to the Ojai Unified School District (OUSD).
The cease and desist demand alleges that the OUSD Board of Education violated the Brown Act.

“California law requires the vast majority of school district decision-making to be conducted in open and public meetings,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Ojai Unified’s recent actions were a significant departure from that requirement and necessitate immediate corrective action.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Michael Ortega (DOB 03/05/2000), of Oxnard, has been charged with the murder of Paul Carrillo. Ortega, a known gang member, is accused of killing Carrillo with a sawed-off shotgun on December 5, 2022.

The County of Ventura has entered into an agreement to purchase a building in downtown Oxnard, which will serve as the future home of the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center.

The two-story, 32,000-square-foot building, located at 555/545 South A Street, is anticipated to be purchased for $4.1 million contingent upon an environmental review, Board of Supervisors approval, and the completion of a 30-day escrow. Situated near transit and city services, this location will provide outreach and support services to victims of crime in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Teresa Robles Boyzo (DOB 11/08/60), of Oxnard, pled guilty to grand theft after falsely identifying herself as a judge and offering help with legal matters in exchange for money.

“Money or personal information should never be given to someone claiming to be an attorney without first checking to see if they are in fact a licensed attorney,” said Deputy District Attorney Susan Park, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit. “You can protect yourself by looking up attorney information on the California State Bar website to avoid becoming a victim of theft.”

The “Look Up a Lawyer” feature is available at www.calbar.ca.gov. All individuals licensed to practice law in the State of California, including judicial officers, will be listed.

The newly formed Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force today announced the arrest of a Moorpark man who is charged in a federal criminal complaint with soliciting on social media platforms sexually explicit photos from two individuals he thought were 14-year-old girls.

Thomas Gissell, 27, of Moorpark, was taken into custody Monday morning by federal and state authorities participating in the Task Force.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Villalobos (DOB 07/02/60), of Oxnard, was found guilty of molesting underage victims.

He is facing a maximum of 136 years to life in state prison.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and the California Highway Patrol are announcing that four men have been arrested for burglarizing the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Sandra Dillard (DOB 03/26/82), of Ventura, pled guilty to the willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder of Kelsey Dillon (DOB 09/25/90).

Dillard is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that real estate agent Christopher Hicks (DOB 03/05/75), of Simi Valley, pled guilty to multiple felonies.

On March 1, 2023, Hicks pled guilty to three felony counts of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement. Prior to his guilty pleas, Hicks paid $199,000 in restitution to the FTB and $16,148 to the District Attorney’s Office for investigative costs.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Marlicia Alexis Hart (DOB 12/15/98), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud on February 22, 2023.