News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that    Sergio Contreras (DOB 01/04/06), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, and street terrorism. He was previously convicted by a jury on December 10, 2025.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Lauren Malan, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Gangs Unit, prosecuted the case.

“This was a gang-motivated attack that could have easily resulted in a loss of life,” Ms. Malan said. “The defendant’s actions demonstrate the extreme danger gang violence poses to our community, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that conduct and our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.”

The Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC) has received a boost in its ability to help victims and survivors reach safety and support. The VCFJC was selected as one of only 15 Family Justice Centers in the nation to receive $10,000 in Uber for Business credits through Hope Rides, a new partnership between Alliance for HOPE International and Uber aimed at eliminating transportation barriers for those experiencing violence or abuse.

“Reliable transportation should never stand between a survivor and safety,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker, who oversees the VCFJC. “This generous award ensures victims can access the trauma-informed services they need, whether it’s assistance in seeking a restraining order, legal support, or emergency resources. We are deeply grateful to Alliance for HOPE International and Uber for recognizing this critical need and investing in our community.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mysti Lee Ary (DOB 01/29/77), of Bakersfield, has been charged with felony fleeing the scene of an accident causing permanent, serious injury for a June 15, 2025, accident along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Ary made her first court appearance today in Ventura County Superior Court where she pled not guilty.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a 17-year-old juvenile has been charged with Penal Code section 422.3(a), a new criminal threats law that took effect on January 1, 2026. The charge stems from a threat to carry out a school shooting at R.J. Frank Academy Middle School in Oxnard.

Penal Code section 422.3(a) makes it a crime to threaten death or great bodily injury to people at schools, daycare centers, workplaces, houses of worship, or medical facilities, including threats made by phone calls, text messages, images, or online posts. The law was created to allow law enforcement to intervene when threats cause fear and disruption, even if no weapon is ultimately found. While similar to the existing criminal threat statute, it differs in that the threat may be made towards a location and need not be made to a specific person.

“This new law gives law enforcement and prosecutors an important tool to address credible threats before violence occurs,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Threats against schools will always be taken seriously, and early intervention is critical to keeping our students and educators safe.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Thomas James Syslo (DOB 05/19/92), of Torrence, was charged with murder for the 2023 fatal fentanyl overdose of Freddy Dijor in Thousand Oaks. Syslo also faces felony charges for possession of fentanyl for sale and two counts of money laundering. He made his first appearance on January 26, 2026, in Ventura County Superior Court and pled not guilty to all charges.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christian Octavio Arreola (DOB 01/16/94), of Port Hueneme, has been charged with multiple felonies stemming from a violent attack on a Port Hueneme police officer earlier this month.

Arreola is charged with attempted murder, assault upon a peace officer, battery with injury on a peace officer, and resisting an executive officer. The complaint further alleges that the crime involved great violence, that Arreola was armed with and used a weapon, and includes a special allegation related to the attempted murder of a peace officer.

“This was an attack on a police officer who was responding to a mental health crisis and attempting to protect both the individual involved and the community,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated, and my office will aggressively prosecute those who commit these dangerous crimes.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ida Veronica Hernandez (DOB 06/27/80) pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026, to seven felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of filing a false or forged document, arising from an extensive embezzlement scheme committed while she was employed as a bookkeeper for a Thousand Oaks medical practice. Hernandez also admitted a special allegation that the losses exceeded $100,000.

Between 2020 and 2021, Hernandez was entrusted with access to company bank accounts and financial records in her role as office manager and bookkeeper. Instead of using that access for legitimate business purposes, Hernandez transferred large sums of the business’s money into bank accounts controlled by herself and her relatives. Investigators determined that Hernandez used multiple aliases and created fictitious employees to conceal the thefts, directing payroll payments to accounts she controlled. Hernandez stole at least $556,000 from the business.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Trinidad Bueno Garcia (DOB 02/11/75), of Van Nuys, was sentenced on January 21, 2026, to 15 years in state prison for leading a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation impacting Ventura County.

Garcia previously pled guilty to conspiracy to possess fentanyl for sale. At the time of his plea, Garcia admitted that the offense involved more than four kilograms of fentanyl, triggering a significant weight enhancement. He also admitted that the crime involved a large quantity of contraband and was carried out with planning, sophistication, and professionalism.

“This defendant led a drug trafficking organization responsible for moving an enormous amount of fentanyl into our community, putting countless lives at risk,” narcotics prosecutor Devin Mirchi said. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that fentanyl trafficking will be met with significant consequences in Ventura County.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that four members of a sophisticated burglary crew have pled guilty to charges stemming from a coordinated commercial burglary that occurred on May 25, 2025, at 5-Star Jewelry and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop in Simi Valley, resulting in losses exceeding $2 million.

“This was not a crime of opportunity,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “These defendants planned carefully, conducted surveillance, and used specialized tools and techniques to carry out a highly sophisticated burglary that caused enormous financial harm. Their guilty pleas ensure accountability and reflect the strength of the evidence in this case.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Christopher Lee Wieser (DOB 08/26/80), of Oak View, was sentenced to six years in state prison for three felony domestic violence charges. A jury previously convicted Wieser on September 22, 2025, of inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant, attempted aggravated mayhem, and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Two special allegations were also found true: causing great bodily injury, and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.