Author Archives: News Releases

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to receive $220,000 in California grant funding to assist in establishing an East County Family Justice Center (FJC). Funding was awarded by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Emerging Family Justice Center Grant Program.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Makare Darnell Toliver (DOB 04/07/2003), of Lancaster, has been charged with two counts of robbery with a gun and evading a police officer causing death. Toliver is also charged with three additional felonies related to his conduct.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jacob Anthony Caliboso (DOB 04/25/99), of Oxnard, was sentenced on June 11, 2024, to 30 years to life in prison—the maximum sentence allowed by law—for the 2020 deaths of Elva Andrade and Nevaeh Gomez. Caliboso was previously convicted by a jury on April 30, 2024, of two counts of second-degree murder.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Alberto Salazar (DOB 10/29/94), of Oxnard, has been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old juvenile. Salazar also faces charges of shooting at an occupied vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm, and an enhancement for personally and intentionally discharging a firearm causing death.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, pled not guilty to all charges at today’s information arraignment. Alnaji is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter, felony battery causing serious bodily injury, and the special allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.

VENTURA, Calif. – The District Attorney’s Office is warning Ventura County residents about emerging trends in fraud schemes that coincide with fast-moving technological advances. Several trends include synthetic identity theft, deepfakes, account fraud takeover, cryptocurrency scams, and insider threats. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) says 2024 is on pace to be another busy year when combating emerging fraud trends. Having knowledge about these new scams and frauds can be your best defense from becoming a victim.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Quest Diagnostics, Inc., a national Fortune 500 diagnostic testing company, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit involving the offices of California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the District Attorneys of Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Ventura, and Yolo Counties. The lawsuit resolved allegations that Quest Diagnostics engaged in unlawful business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200. The corporation unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at its facilities statewide, in violation of the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, and civil laws prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure of personal health information.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that, after an 18-day trial, Erick Estrada (DOB 08/31/88) was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Gabriel Gutierrez. Estrada was also convicted for the attempted murder and assault with a firearm of both Michael Owens and Thomas Bakkila. Special allegations related to the murder conviction, the attempted murder convictions, and the assault with a firearm convictions were also found true. Regarding the murder of Mr. Gutierrez, the special allegations that Estrada committed the murder while lying in wait, and that he intentionally discharged a firearm were found to be true. Aggravating factors that the crime involved great violence and that Estrada used a weapon were also found to be true.

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Osvaldo Hernandez (DOB 05/22/99), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 32 years 8 months to life in prison for the murder of Robert De La Cerda and for committing robberies. He previously pled guilty November 16, 2023, to one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted robbery, three counts of robbery, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Hernandez also admitted special allegations, including that he personally used a firearm in the murder of Mr. De La Cerda.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Hugo Quebrado (DOB 02/04/01), of Oxnard, appeared for arraignment on February 8, 2024, in the Ventura County Superior Court on one felony count of murder, with a special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing the victim’s death, and one count of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.