News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Matthew Rey Scott (DOB 02/07/85) was sentenced to 19 years 8 months prison. Scott was convicted by a jury on March 26, 2025, of two felony counts of first-degree residential burglary, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer. The jury also found true the special allegations that Scott committed a violent felony when he entered the home with the residents present.

Scott previously sustained a felony conviction for attempted first-degree residential burglary, a crime he was on parole for at the time of the current offenses. Scott’s sentence was enhanced because of this prior strike conviction.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that John Edward Kalil (DOB 07/11/96), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on April 28, 2025, of six felony counts of child molestation. The jury also found true the special allegations there were multiple victims and Kalil committed substantial sexual conduct.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that additional charges have been filed against David Lane Braff, Jr. (DOB 05/28/82), of Thousand Oaks, following an ongoing investigation conducted by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

The amended complaint brings the total number of charged victims to 13 and the total number of charged violations to 31 counts of child molestation against male and female victims. Braff will be arraigned on the amended complaint on May 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

El Fiscal de Distrito Erik Nasarenko anunció hoy que se han presentado cargos adicionales contra David Lane Braff, Jr. (FDN 05/28/82), de Thousand Oaks, como resultado de la investigación en curso llevada a cabo por el Departamento de Investigación del Fiscal de Distrito.

El 29 de abril de 2025, el fiscal presento una denuncia penal enmendada agregando 14 nuevas felonías de actos lascivos a niños menores de 14 años relacionadas con cinco víctimas adicionales.  Cuatro de las nuevas víctimas fueron estudiantes en la escuela primaria McKevett en Santa Paula, donde Braff trabajó como concejero escolar entre el 2015 y 2019.  La quinta víctima presuntamente fue abusada entre el 2004 y 2005 cuando Braff estuvo empleado en el Conejo Recreation and Park District de Thousand Oaks.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Joseph Lynn Johnson (DOB 02/14/79), of Port Hueneme, has been convicted by a jury of raping an incompetent person. A judge also found true the aggravating factor that the victim was particularly vulnerable.

Deputy District Attorney Emily Reber, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“We are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration and for delivering a verdict that brings justice to the victim,” Ms. Reber said. “This defendant exploited the vulnerability of a woman who deserved care and dignity, not manipulation and harm.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that he will continue to oppose the early release of Andrew Stuart Luster.

“We will continue to strenuously oppose any early release from state prison,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Luster’s statements to the parole board demonstrate that he remains unremorseful for his crimes and unworthy of parole.”

In 2003, Luster was convicted of drugging and raping three unconscious victims at his Ventura County beachfront home. He was originally sentenced to 124 years in prison, a sentence that was reduced to 50 years in 2013 despite the vehement opposition of prosecutors. During his trial, Luster fled the country, only to be captured by bounty hunter Duane “The Dog” Chapman.

Childhood Matters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and families through mental health support, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Childhood Matters Wellness Center (CMWC) on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at 2982 Martha Drive in Ventura.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that  Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78), a defendant in the 1998 murder of Felipe Arambula, has been extradited from Mexico. Vasquez is charged with murder, attempted kidnapping, first-degree residential burglary, and false imprisonment by violence. He also faces a special allegation of murder during a kidnapping. Vasquez made his first court appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on April 17, 2025. He fled to Mexico before charges were filed for the 1998 murder.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has reached a civil settlement with Shija Cho, the former owner of Unique Cleaners in Ventura, for the improper disposal of hazardous waste.

The case stems from the abandonment of hazardous materials, including dry cleaning chemicals containing perchloroethylene (PERC), discovered in Los Angeles County and traced back to Unique Cleaners at 2307 East Main Street. Cho operated the dry-cleaning business until it closed in June 2024.

“Our office is committed to protecting public health and the environment by holding businesses accountable for the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This case reinforces the responsibility business owners have to manage toxic waste responsibly, from generation to final disposal.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that William Porter McHenry, a commercial fishing boat captain, has been ordered to pay fines for illegally dumping toxic waste into California waters.

McHenry owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc., which runs the 67-foot commercial fishing vessel Sea Pearl. On December 6, 2024, McHenry allowed waste known as “stick water” to be dumped into the ocean. This waste can pollute the water and harm marine life. Authorities saw the Sea Pearl heading out to sea while releasing stick water, then turning back toward shore without crossing the state waters boundary line.

On April 11, 2025, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded a multi-year investigation into a fatal overdose that occurred in the city of Simi Valley. The investigation led to the arrest and federal indictment of 43-year-old Simi Valley resident, Michael McDevitt.