The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Childhood Matters Wellness Center was a powerful celebration of community, collaboration, and care.
This new space—made possible through a ...partnership between Childhood Matters, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Ventura County Family Justice Center—will provide low- to no-cost mental health services, trauma-informed workshops, and counseling support to local children and families.
Thank you to Shaleena Tareen, CEO of Childhood Matters, and DA Erik Nasarenko for their inspiring remarks, and to everyone who joined us to mark the beginning of this meaningful new chapter in healing-centered justice.
#ChildhoodMatters #WellnessCenter #VCDA #MentalHealthSupport #CommunityHealing #TraumaInformedCare
NEWS RELEASE:
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.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4iud2B2
NEWS RELEASE:
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.
In August of 2024, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Board granted Luster early release on parole, despite the objections of all three victims, who appeared at the hearing and spoke against the early release. The Ventura County District Attorney’s office successfully challenged the Board’s decision, which was later reversed by a majority of parole board commissioners. Prosecutors successfully argued that Luster continued to misrepresent the nature of his crimes, lacked rehabilitation, and remains a threat to public safety.
By operation of law, another hearing to consider Luster’s early release was automatically set for April 29, 2025. Prosecutors and victims will again attend the hearing and seek to prevent Luster’s early release.
Senior Deputy District Anthony Wold, who originally prosecuted Luster during his trial, will attend the April 29, 2025, hearing along with the victims. If forced to serve out his full sentence, Luster will not be released until late 2026.
“By drugging his victims into a coma-like state, Andrew Luster played Russian roulette with the lives of his victims so he could abuse their comatose bodies,” Mr. Wold said. “Even now, he attempts to rewrite the history of his heinous crimes to falsely mitigate his culpability to gain early release. He remains a highly dangerous sexual predator. We continue to maintain he should serve his full sentence. He’s earned it.”
FULL RELEASE: https://bit.ly/42Qyivf
What a fun day! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the DA’s Office booth at County of Ventura - Government’s 2nd Annual Bring Your Kid to Work Day.
We had a blast meeting all the ...future prosecutors, victim advocates, investigators, and professional staff. ❤️
NEWS RELEASE:
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.
ChildhoodMatters
LEARN MORE ABOUT TOMORROW'S EVENT: https://bit.ly/4is9O0T
Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger and Captain Cyrus Zadeh of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in presenting at the 33rd Annual Kansas Narcotics Officers Association (KNOA) ...Training Conference on Thursday, April 17.
Together, they led a general session titled “Marijuana Induced Homicide and Prosecution – The Case Study Against Bryn Spejcher,” offering valuable insight into complex drug-related prosecutions.
The KNOA conference brings together law enforcement professionals from across the country to promote education, collaboration, and the exchange of information in the fight against narcotics crimes.
👏 We're proud to see our team sharing expertise on a national stage!
NEWS RELEASE:
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.
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4jHkM3F
NEWS RELEASE:
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.”
READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4jKZHWe
🌍 On Earth Day, a reminder: Our oceans matter. 🌊
Captain William McHenry has been fined over $16,000 for illegally dumping toxic squid waste into Ventura County waters — without ...traveling the required 3 miles offshore.
💬 “This case highlights the importance of protecting our coastal waters. Illegally dumping harmful waste threatens our marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it,” said Sr. DDA Karen Wold.
Let’s protect what we love — today and every day. 💙
#EarthDay #VenturaDA #ProtectOurOceans #EnvironmentalJustice #MarineLifeMatters