News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gerardo Rodrigo Vargas (DOB 11/16/80), of Oxnard, pled guilty on July 6, 2026, to one felony count of violation of civil rights stemming from a racially motivated confrontation outside an Oxnard grocery store. Vargas also admitted to several special allegations including a strike prior.

On May 13, 2026, Vargas confronted an African American man outside the Grocery Outlet located at 920 N. Ventura Road in Oxnard. The victim had arrived at the store to shop, and the two men were strangers. As the victim approached the entrance, Vargas quickly stood up, approached him, yelled the N-word multiple times and raised his fists. Vargas continued to threaten the victim, by saying, “I’m gonna f*** you up.” A store employee who knew Vargas intervened and prevented the confrontation from becoming physical.

“Hate crimes have no place in Ventura County,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “No one should be threatened or intimidated because of their race. This resolution holds the defendant accountable while reinforcing our commitment to protecting every member of our community and ensuring victims of hate crimes receive justice.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has filed a juvenile petition alleging eight counts against a minor who allegedly led Ventura Police officers on a dangerous pursuit through city streets, onto State Route 126, and across the Buena High School campus while riding a e-motorcycle.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Charity Faith Wiley (DOB 09/21/85), of Reseda, has pled guilty to second-degree murder for the death of a Simi Valley man. Wiley sold a deadly synthetic drug mixture of fentanyl and xylazine to the victim who overdosed and died. She also pled guilty to five additional felonies related to her drug possession, sales activity, gun possession, and money laundering. Wiley also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that the manner in which the crimes were carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

“Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message that fentanyl dealers will be held accountable for the lives they destroy,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This is the first murder conviction in Ventura County stemming from a fentanyl overdose, and it reflects our commitment to pursuing every appropriate legal avenue against those who knowingly distribute this deadly drug.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that a jury has found Jalen Amir Yoakum (DOB 08/07/00), of Lancaster, guilty of multiple felony charges for trafficking, exploiting, and abusing a young woman over several months. The jury convicted Yoakum on June 29, 2026, of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, pimping, pandering by encouragement, corporal injury to a cohabitant, and dissuading a witness by force or threat. Several special allegations and aggravating factors were found true, including that Yoakum has a prior strike conviction, engaged in violent conduct, targeted a particularly vulnerable victim and involved another person in the commission of the crimes.

“This verdict recognizes the victim’s courage and the brutality she survived,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly said. “Human trafficking does not always look like chains or locked doors. In this case, it hid under the guise of a relationship and was enforced through violence, fear, shame, and control.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, was sentenced to one year in Ventura County Jail and two years of felony probation for the death of Paul Kessler. Alnaji previously pleaded guilty on May 5, 2026, to felony involuntary manslaughter and felony battery causing serious bodily injury. He also admitted a special allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury, along with aggravating factors that he used a weapon and that the victim was particularly vulnerable. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office argued for a state prison sentence and objected to the court’s decision to impose one year of jail and probation.

Victim impact statements were submitted prior to the sentencing hearing for the court to read, including a statement from Mr. Kessler’s widow.

“There are no words to describe the pain of losing a husband in such a sudden and violent way,” his widow wrote. “The grief is relentless. The silence in our house, the absence of his voice, his companionship, his love and the future we had planned together are losses I carry with me every day.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that a 16-year-old juvenile was found guilty today of willful, deliberate, and premeditated first-degree murder for the June 2025 killing of Davy Glen Pichel, who was sleeping outside a church in Oxnard. The minor was 14 years old at the time of the offense.

“This was an exceptionally brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable member of our community,” said Deputy District Attorney Juliet Buff, who prosecuted the contested jurisdictional hearing. “Today’s verdict ensures that both juveniles have now been held accountable for Mr. Pichel’s murder. While no court outcome can restore the life that was taken, we hope this result provides Mr. Pichel’s loved ones with a measure of justice.”

The minor is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2026, at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard. He faces a maximum base term of seven years in the Secured Youth Treatment Facility. Under California law, a juvenile who commits a murder may be committed to the Secured Youth Treatment Facility for four to seven years. A court may choose one of these options for murder. No matter what the sentence, the juvenile court only has jurisdiction over a person until the age of 25 years old.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaime Torres (DOB 05/25/84), of Santa Paula, was convicted by a jury on June 24, 2026, of child molestation. Torres was found guilty 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.

“I’m grateful to the jury for the time and care they devoted to this difficult and emotional case,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Ben Moreno said. “Their verdict holds the defendant accountable for the harm he caused and brings long-overdue justice to the victim and her family. I hope it gives them the closure they deserve.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that federal prosecutors have assumed prosecution of a Riverside County man previously charged in Ventura County in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation involving hundreds of pounds of narcotics and multiple firearms.

On June 17, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California obtained a federal indictment charging Sergio Samuel Sanchez (DOB 04/19/89) with federal narcotics and firearms offenses arising from the same conduct alleged in the Ventura County case. On June 22, 2026, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office moved to dismiss the state case in favor of federal prosecution. Sanchez made his first federal court appearance on June 23 for arraignment.

“This case involved an extraordinary quantity of methamphetamine and multiple firearms, posing a significant threat to public safety,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Federal prosecution ensures that those who engage in large-scale drug trafficking operations face the substantial penalties available under federal law.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Leonel Galindo Galindo (DOB 03/20/89), of Santa Paula, pled guilty on June 22, 2026, to child molestation against two victims. Galindo pled guilty to eight counts of lewd acts upon a child and admitted the aggravating factor that he took advantage of a position of trust and confidence.

“Child molestation inflicts trauma that can endure for a lifetime.” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Emily Reber, who prosecuted the case. “Thanks to the courage and persistence of the victims and their family, we were able to hold the defendant accountable. We hope that this conviction can help them to begin their journey towards healing.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Stephen Vincent Chavez (DOB 01/17/85), of Moorpark, was sentenced to one year in Ventura County Jail and three years of felony probation for incest and providing alcohol to his 18-year-old biological daughter. Chavez previously pled guilty on May 18, 2026, to felony incest and misdemeanor providing alcohol to a minor. He also admitted he took advantage of a position of trust and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.

Prosecutors objected to the court’s sentence and requested the maximum sentence allowed by law of three years in state prison.

“The People requested the maximum three-year state prison sentence because the defendant exploited his position as a father, violated his daughter’s trust, supplied her with alcohol, and engaged in criminal conduct that forever altered the course of her life,” said Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty. “While we respect the court’s decision, we continue to believe a state prison sentence was warranted under the facts of this case.”