News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Cruz-Hernandez (DOB 07/02/85), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on August 2, 2024, of seven felony counts of child sexual abuse. The convictions included felony counts of forcible rape, engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under ten, committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, and continuous sexual abuse of a child. The jury also found true the allegation that Cruz-Hernandez sexually assaulted multiple victims.
Cruz-Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He faces a potential sentence of 150 years and 8 months to life in prison. He remains in custody without bail.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to receive $220,000 in California grant funding to assist in establishing an East County Family Justice Center (FJC). Funding was awarded by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Emerging Family Justice Center Grant Program.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Makare Darnell Toliver (DOB 04/07/2003), of Lancaster, has been charged with two counts of robbery with a gun and evading a police officer causing death. Toliver is also charged with three additional felonies related to his conduct.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Refugio Cortez (DOB 07/18/86), of Santa Paula, was convicted by a jury on July 17, 2024, of a dozen felony counts of unlawful possession of guns and ammunition. The convictions included 11 felony counts of owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm by a felon and one felony count of being a person prohibited from possessing ammunition.

The City of Oxnard has entered a partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to intensify efforts against Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC). This three-year agreement, beginning July 1, 2024, commits a total of $494,544 to support the assignment of a dedicated investigator from the District Attorney’s Office to tackle these heinous crimes within Oxnard.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Boost Oxygen, LLC, a Connecticut-based company, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $413,000 in penalties and investigative costs to settle a civil lawsuit brought by multiple district attorney’s offices. The lawsuit alleged violations of the California Unfair Competition Law, Business & Professions Code § 17200, and the California False Advertising Law, Business & Professions Code § 17500. Boost sells recreational oxygen canisters online and in brick-and-mortar stores. The company previously advertised that its products could alleviate physical ailments such as altitude sickness. An investigation showed that many of Boost’s claims were false or unsupported by evidence.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Home Depot Inc. entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $750,000 in penalties, fees, and restitution to settle a civil lawsuit brought by multiple district attorney’s offices alleging violations of California Civil Code section 1749.5, the California Gift Card Law.
The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of the District Attorney’s Offices of Ventura, Los Angeles, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties, alleged that Home Depot unlawfully denied California consumers the right to cash out store gift cards valued at less than $10, as required by the Gift Card Law.

“We vigorously enforce gift card redemption laws to protect and safeguard consumers,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Large corporations should not profit from unfair business practices that leave store patrons without a full return on their investment.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Emerson Mercado (DOB 03/16/91), of Fillmore, pled guilty on July 9, 2024, to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud.

Mercado is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater.

As the Fourth of July approaches, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is issuing a warning to residents and visitors about the severe dangers associated with illegal fireworks. The presence and misuse of these fireworks pose significant risks across our communities, leading to fires, injuries, and loud explosions that scare our dogs and cats and can be particularly distressing for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In Ventura County, the sale, use, and possession of fireworks are strictly regulated. Only “Safe and Sane” fireworks are permitted, and these are only legal within the city limits of Fillmore. It’s crucial to note that even if you legally purchase “Safe and Sane” fireworks in Fillmore, their use or possession outside of Fillmore is illegal throughout the rest of Ventura County.