News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that federal prosecutors have taken over the prosecution of four men previously charged in Ventura County in connection with a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.

On June 12, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office obtained a federal grand jury indictment charging Jorge Humberto Valdivia (DOB 05/30/99), Angel Omar Azpeitia Garcia (DOB 01/17/95), Jorge Arturo Marquez Chavez (DOB 05/13/98), and Victor Manuel Otero Correa (DOB 12/11/02), all of North Hollywood, with 17 federal counts arising from the same conduct alleged in the Ventura County case. As a result of the federal prosecution, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office dismissed its case against the defendants on June 15, 2026. Under the federal indictment, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

“The amount of narcotics recovered in this case was staggering and posed a significant threat to public safety throughout Ventura County,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger, who handled the Ventura County case. “Federal prosecution ensures these defendants face substantial consequences and reflects the seriousness of the conduct alleged.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gabriel Esquivel (DOB 01/13/02), of Oxnard, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of two bicyclists on State Route 1 (SR-1) near Solimar Beach.

The collision caused fatal injuries to Kellie Standish, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. William Colby Tucker was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. A third victim suffered major injuries.

Esquivel is charged with murder because he had previously been warned about the deadly consequences of impaired driving. Following a December 19, 2025, DUI arrest in Oxnard, Esquivel received multiple Watson advisements, which warn drivers that if they drive under the influence again and someone is killed, they can be charged with murder. That case remains pending in Ventura County Superior Court.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Sharbel Touma (DOB 06/09/03), of Oxnard, was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Dusty Kawai to three years, four months in state prison for a high-speed crash that killed two people. Touma previously pled guilty on March 16, 2026, to two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter for driving 108 miles per hour in a collision that claimed the lives of Samuel Castro and Annette Gomez. Prosecutors objected to the court’s sentence and urged a prison term of five years, four months.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, and Oxnard Police Department Assistant Chief Rocky Marquez announced today that Bobby Rollins Jr. (DOB 02/10/71), of Long Beach, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery. The arrest comes 36 years after Rollins is accused of committing the crime in June of 1990. Prosecutors have further alleged he personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime. Rollins also faces several aggravating factors, including that the crime involved great violence and that the victim was particularly vulnerable when the crime was committed.

Rollins was arrested without incident in Long Beach on June 10, 2026, by District Attorney Investigators with assistance from the Long Beach Police Department.

“More than three decades after this violent kidnapping, advances in DNA technology and the determination of investigators have led to the arrest of Rollins and justice on behalf of a victim who never forgot what happened to her,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said.

News Conference: Thursday June 11, 2026, at 9 a.m.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and Oxnard Police Department will hold a joint news conference to announce the arrest and filing of charges in a 1990 cold case kidnap and robbery investigation.

Officials will discuss the renewed investigation, advances in forensic DNA testing, and the collaborative efforts that led to the identification of a suspect more than three decades after the crime occurred.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that The Kroger Co. will pay $1.25 million to resolve a civil enforcement action alleging violations of California’s False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law arising from inaccurate calorie information advertised on several Kroger-branded bread products.

The lawsuit was jointly prosecuted and investigated by the District Attorneys’ Offices of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Riverside Counties following an investigation into calorie representations on five varieties of Kroger’s Carbmaster bread products, including white, wheat, and multi-seed breads, as well as hamburger and hot dog buns. The products were sold online and at Kroger-owned Ralphs, Food 4 Less, and Foods Co. stores throughout California.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Juana Patricia Barajas (DOB 08/01/71), of Santa Paula, has been held to answer on all charges, following a preliminary hearing, related to workers’ compensation insurance fraud, grand theft, and operating without required workers’ compensation insurance coverage while running Barajas Farm Labor Contracting. Barajas is charged with two counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud, two counts of failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance, and one count of grand theft.

The charges stem from allegations that Barajas underreported employee payroll information to workers’ compensation insurance carriers and operated her farm labor contracting business without legally required insurance coverage for portions of 2021 through 2023.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that George Pierce (DOB 08/30/53), of Oxnard, was sentenced on June 4, 2026, to three years four months in state prison for a hate crime attack made against a black couple in Ventura. Pierce was previously convicted by a jury on May 7, 2026, of felony criminal threats, attempted second degree commercial burglary, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and a violation of civil rights. The jury also found true the hate crime allegations attached to the criminal threats and attempted burglary charges, as well as weapon-use enhancements.

“No one should be threatened, terrorized, or targeted because of who they are,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This state prison sentence reflects the seriousness of the conduct and sends a clear message that hate motivated crimes will not be tolerated in Ventura County.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ronald Jelaniwarren Joseph (DOB 04/14/00), of Woodland Hills, was sentenced on May 27, 2026, to seven years in state prison for selling counterfeit Oxycodone “M-30” pills containing fentanyl to Ventura County residents. Joseph previously pled guilty on January 12, 2026, to two felony counts of selling and transporting fentanyl and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors including the involvement of a large quantity of contraband and a prior strike offense.

Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) detectives discovered that Joseph was allegedly using social media to advertise illicit fentanyl pills. Through undercover operations and surveillance, investigators determined he had an established customer base in Ventura County.

“This case is an example of the important work being done by VC FOCUS and our law enforcement partners to keep fentanyl out of Ventura County,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger said. “Every seizure of these deadly counterfeit pills has the potential to save lives.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Frank Leslie Blessing (DOB 06/26/67), of Simi Valley, has been charged with multiple felony offenses stemming from a violent incident that resulted in significant property damage and the attempted murder of a police officer. Blessing is charged with one count of attempted murder of a peace officer, one count of assault upon a peace officer, three counts of felony vandalism, and two counts of battery on a peace officer or nurse. He also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon, and the crime involved great violence. Blessing made his first court appearance on June 1, 2026, where his arraignment was continued. Judge Paul Feldman called the alleged conduct “egregious” and held Blessing in custody with no bail after prosecutors successfully argued he remains a danger to the community.

“The allegations describe a deliberate and escalating series of violent acts,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Using a car to allegedly attempt to murder a police officer is a heinous act that requires the strongest of consequences.”