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.”