News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Neil Liam Reb (DOB 11/07/03), of Oak Park, pleaded guilty on August 28, 2026, to two counts of felony gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb also admitted the special allegation that the crime is a serious felony.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez lost their lives because of a reckless decision to drive at an extremely dangerous speed, and their family will have to live with that loss forever,” said Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller. “This guilty plea holds Mr. Reb accountable for his actions and the tragic consequences they caused.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Timothy Wade Hensley (DOB 07/03/75), of Ventura, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for child molestation. Hensley was previously convicted by a jury on July 31, 2026, of one felony count of continuous sexual abuse. The court found true the aggravating factors of taking advantage of a position of trust and the victim being particularly vulnerable.

“The victim and her family showed tremendous courage in coming forward and participating in this process,” Deputy District Attorney Julia McAndrew said. “Crimes against children are unacceptable, and we will continue to work to hold those who commit these offenses accountable. We hope that today’s outcome brings the victim a measure of justice and allows her to move forward with the support and safety that she deserves.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaime Torres (DOB 05/25/84), of Santa Paula, was sentenced to 29 years to life in state prison. Torres was previously convicted by a jury on June 24, 2026, of continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and lewd acts upon a child. All aggravating factors were found true, which included the victim being particularly vulnerable and Torres taking advantage of a position of trust.

“This defendant was entrusted with protecting a child but instead betrayed that trust in the most unconscionable way,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno said. “Today’s sentence is a just consequence for that betrayal. I applaud the victim for the extraordinary courage and strength she has shown throughout this process, and I hope this sentence brings her the justice and closure she so profoundly deserves.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Armando Liborio De La Mora (DOB 10/11/93), of Oxnard, was sentenced on August 25, 2026, to 365 days in Ventura County Jail and domestic violence probation after pleading guilty to five domestic violence charges. De La Mora previously pled guilty on June 18, 2026, to two felony counts of inflicting corporal injury on a girlfriend, one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, and misdemeanor counts of disobeying a domestic relations court order and violating a protective order. De La Mora also admitted to three aggravating circumstances for each of the felony counts, including the crime involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and De La Mora engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Johnson (DOB 03/17/68), of Ojai, has been charged with six felony counts of child molestation against multiple victims. He faces four counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of continuous sexual abuse along with the special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victims being under 14 years old. Johnson was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court and pled not guilty to all charges.

Johnson, who worked as both a pastor and massage therapist, is accused of molesting two children under the age of 14. The abuse is alleged to have happened over several years at locations in Ojai and Oxnard. He had access to the children through a familial relationship.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Samuel Matthew Rocha (DOB 01/25/93), of Port Hueneme, pled guilty on August 24, 2026, to second-degree murder in the death of Pedro Valdez. Rocha had previously been convicted by a jury in April of four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of battery. The jury was unable to reach verdicts on the remaining counts. The jury found the special allegation of causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony to be true. Now, four months later, Rocha pled guilty to murder and admitted to using his car as a deadly weapon.

“Rocha made the deliberate decision to use his vehicle as a weapon, killing 16-year-old Pedro Valdez and injuring four other young bicyclists,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Simon said. “This conviction holds him accountable and brings a measure of justice to Pedro, his family, and the other victims.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Romo (12/17/88), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury of the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. Romo was found guilty of murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Multiple charged special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, that Romo was on parole when the crime was committed and strike priors.

“Oscar Rodriguez lost his life to senseless street violence,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer said. “There is no place for using a firearm to resolve conflicts and this conviction holds the defendant accountable for that choice.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that   William Bao Khoa Ly (DOB 02/06/00), of Simi Valley, has been charged with stealing nearly $100,000 from an 89-year-old Thousand Oaks man whom he had befriended. Ly is charged with felony counts of theft from an elder or dependent adult, grand theft, and unauthorized use of personal identifying information. The charges include aggravating factors that the victim was particularly vulnerable, that the manner in which the crimes were carried out indicates planning, sophistication, and professionalism, and that Ly took advantage of a position of trust. Ly was arraigned on August 18, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved renaming the Ventura County Family Justice Center in Ventura as the Judge Colleen Toy White Family Justice Center, honoring the late Ventura County Superior Court Judge whose decades of public service transformed how the county supports victims and other vulnerable members of the community.

“Judge Colleen Toy White dedicated her career to making sure victims and vulnerable members of our community had a voice, access to justice and a path toward healing,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “The Family Justice Center represents so much of what Judge White stood for and is a lasting reminder of her commitment to compassion, dignity and justice.”

Sixty children from across Ventura County recently gathered at Camp Daley in Calabasas for six days of Camp HOPE, a program designed to give child victims of crime an opportunity to heal, build friendships, and simply be kids.

This year’s camp included 20 children ages 7 to 11 and 40 youth ages 12 to 17. Forty-eight campers were returning participants, demonstrating the lasting connection many children have with the program.