District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 22, 2025, a second amended complaint was filed against David Lane Braff, Jr. (DOB 05/28/82), of Thousand Oaks, alleging two additional victims. Braff now faces charges related to a total of 15 victims and 33 counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14. Today, Braff was arraigned and pled not guilty to the additional charges. Braff remains in custody at the Ventura County Jail without bail following the denial of Braff’s motion to have bail set.

One of the newly alleged victims is from Braff’s tenure at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula, where he worked as a school counselor between 2015 and 2019. The other newly alleged victim is from his time at Bright Star Schools in Los Angeles, where he worked from approximately November 2019 through December 2021.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., which has 499 locations in California, has entered into a Stipulated Judgment and will pay $246,000 in civil penalties, restitution, and costs to resolve allegations of violating California’s gift card redemption law.

The complaint, filed in Ventura County on behalf of the District Attorney’s Offices of Ventura, Los Angeles, Sonoma, and Shasta counties, alleged that Chipotle unlawfully denied consumers the right to cash out gift cards with balances of less than $10. California Civil Code section 1749.5 provides that consumers holding gift cards valued under $10 may request a cash refund rather than spending the remaining balance.

“California law ensures that consumers can keep every dollar that is rightfully theirs,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This settlement not only holds Chipotle accountable but also guarantees that consumers can easily obtain the refunds the law provides. I want to thank our partner counties, Los Angeles, Sonoma, and Shasta, for their collaboration and commitment to protecting consumers across California.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jesse Andrew Mendoza (DOB 02/01/05), of Santa Barbara, was sentenced on October 21, 2025, to 11 years state prison for assaulting a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer during a 2024 DUI arrest. Mendoza was previously convicted by a Ventura County jury on August 15, 2025. The jury found Mendoza guilty of felony assault on a peace officer, assault, escape from arrest, resisting an officer, and driving under the influence. Prior strike special allegations were also found true by the judge.

“The safety of the Ventura community, including our peace officers, is our top priority,” said Deputy District Attorney Jillian Ewan who prosecuted the case. “Those who endanger the public by driving under the influence and commit acts of violence against peace officers will be held accountable.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Margarita Jimenez (DOB 02/03/91), of Oxnard, and Jorge Garfias (DOB 08/31/87), of Ventura, have been sentenced for the first-degree murder of Yanelly Vargas. Jimenez was sentenced to 80 years to life in state prison. Garfias was sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars. Both were previously convicted by a jury on September 5, 2025. The jury also found true the special allegation that Jimenez personally and intentionally discharged a firearm. Jimenez and Garfias were found not guilty of kidnapping the victim. On September 8, 2025, Jimenez admitted her strike prior, serious felony prior, and other aggravating factors. The court found aggravating factors for Garfias true, including that he took advantage of a position of trust.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that three juveniles charged with hate crime allegations in connection with the August 1, 2025, Simi Valley movie theater parking lot assault have been remanded into the Juvenile Facility following detention hearings held on October 15 and October 16, 2025. The three minors also pled not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors argued for detention, supported by reports from the Ventura County Probation Department recommending the minors be detained. The court ordered all three to be remanded to the Juvenile Facility. Their pre-trial conference is scheduled for October 29, 2025, and their contest is set for November 3, 2025.