News Releases

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.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Javier Gomez (DOB 11/22/05), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced on May 26, 2026, to five years in state prison for a racially-motivated baseball bat attack on an African American man. Gomez previously pled guilty on April 27, 2026, to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon. He also admitted all aggravating factors and charged special allegations, including the gang allegation, hate crime allegation and causing great bodily injury.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crime Gangs Unit, prosecuted the case.

“This brutal, racially motivated attack was fueled by hate and carried out with shocking violence,” Ms. Moyer said. “Ventura County prosecutors will not tolerate gang-related violence or crimes targeting individuals because of their race. This sentence holds the defendant accountable and reflects the serious harm inflicted on the victim and our community.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Efran Esau Flores Alvarez (DOB 04/20/06), of Los Angeles, has been charged with nine felony counts of grand theft for allegedly participating in a series of catalytic converter thefts throughout Ventura County. Alvarez was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on May 21, 2026, and pled not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, pled guilty on May 20, 2026, to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas also admitted all special allegations and aggravating factors, including use of a deadly weapon, the crime involving great violence, the victim being particularly vulnerable, and strike priors.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Antonio Jimenez (DOB 01/08/94), of Oxnard, was arraigned on May 20, 2026, for the 2014 killing of Labh Nigah. Jimenez is charged with one count of murder and three special allegations: personally using a knife in the commission of the offense, that the killing involved great violence, and the victim was particularly vulnerable. He pled not guilty to all charges and special allegations.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mysti Lee Ary (DOB 01/29/77), of Bakersfield, has been held to answer on felony fleeing the scene of an accident causing permanent, serious injury for a June 15, 2025, accident along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On May 11, 2026, following a one-day preliminary hearing, the court found sufficient evidence to hold Ary to answer on the felony count.

Deputy District Attorney Jordan Pitcher, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, is prosecuting the case.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, whose life was permanently impacted by this incident,” said Mr. Pitcher. “Drivers have a responsibility to stop, render aid, and take accountability when someone is seriously injured on our roadways.”

After years of coordinated investigative and forensic work, the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (VCSAKI) has now tested more than 2,000 sexual assault kits from agencies throughout Ventura County.

To date, 2,038 sexual assault kits have been tested from an inventory of 2,846 kits countywide dating back to the 1970s. While many of these kits were tested using technologies available at the time, they are now being tested using advanced DNA testing. Through the dedicated efforts of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau, the initiative has uploaded 923 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which has generated 329 CODIS hits connected to potential suspects or linked cases. VCSAKI investigators and prosecutors have investigated and closed 125 cases and notified 21 victims that their case was solved due to advancements in DNA testing.