District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Anthony Arnold (DOB 07/19/71), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of stalking, one felony count of extortion by threatening letter, and three misdemeanor counts of distributing private intimate photos.
Erik Nasarenko was elected Ventura County District Attorney on June 7, 2022. As the County’s top prosecutor overseeing a $66 million budget and 300 employees, including more than 100 deputy district attorneys, Erik has initiated specialized efforts to prosecute fentanyl-based crimes, analyze untested rape kits, and expand support and services to crime victims, including the creation of the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center in Oxnard.
Latest News Releases
Man Acting as Money Manager Sentenced for Stealing Over $1 Million from Thousand Oaks Doctor
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Howard Syner (DOB 08/01/61), of Whittier, was sentenced to 7 years 8 months in state prison and ordered to pay $987,250 plus interest for stealing more than $1 million from a Thousand Oaks doctor. He previously pled guilty on June 22, 2023, to 13 counts of grand theft and admitted he stole more than $500,000.
“This case emphasizes the need to verify and supervise when allowing another person to access your financial records, regardless of your relationship,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise said. “No matter how smart you are, you can become a victim when you trust but don’t verify.”Man Sentenced for Rape and Other Sex Crimes Against Minors
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Connor Joseph Kerns (DOB 07/31/02), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, to 19 years state prison for violent sex crimes against two minors that he sexually extorted online. Kerns previously pled guilty on February 2, 2024, to three felony charges including forcible rape, and forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14. The third count involved forcible sexual acts on a minor under 14 years old.
Ventura Man Sentenced for Selling Fentanyl, Methamphetamine
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Quinn (DOB 09/22/75), of Ventura, was sentenced on March 20, 2024, to 5 years 8 months felony jail. The court imposed 613 days of that time in custody and the remainder will be served on mandatory supervision. Quinn was previously convicted by a jury on December 26, 2023, of felony possession of fentanyl for sale and felony possession of methamphetamine for sale. The jury also found Quinn guilty of driving on a suspended or revoked license. The court found the special allegation that he was on probation when the crime was committed to be true.
California Department of Rehabilitation Officer Charged with Sexual Abuse of Minor Ward
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Azzan Sandhu (DOB 01/26/96), of Fullerton, has been charged with nine felony counts related to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female incarcerated at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF), in Camarillo, California. The charges include seven counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one count of using a child for the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense. Each count also carries a special allegation that Sandhu took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses. Sandhu was arraigned today and pled not guilty to all charges and allegations.
Sandhu is scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.
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Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion
The Ventura County District Attorney recognizes the importance of Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (“DEBI”) in the office’s culture and climate, hiring, training and education, opportunities for advancement, and the relationship with the communities it serves. The District Attorney has created this committee to promote these stated values for the benefit of the Office and to achieve the Office’s mission.