Author Archives: News Releases

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.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Alliance United Insurance Company, which provides auto and casualty insurance services to consumers throughout California, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit alleging that the company engaged in unfair business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200.  Alliance United specializes in offering non-standard, high-risk auto policies. Many of its clients are from lower income and/or under-represented communities.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on October 23, 2023, Kai Sommers (DOB 12/26/87), of Ventura, was charged with four felony counts of child sex crimes. The allegations include two counts of human trafficking of a minor, distribution of child sexual assault material and possession of child sexual assault material by someone with a prior conviction. Aggravating circumstances that Sommers served a prior prison sentence were also alleged for all four counts. Sommers pled not guilty to all counts at arraignment.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Keith Eric Cook (DOB 04/26/88), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 42 years to life in prison. Cook was convicted by a jury on July 20, 2023, of felony robbery with personal use of a firearm, false imprisonment, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Everardo Meza Alamillo (DOB 08/24/69), of Santa Paula, was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to two consecutive terms of life without the possibility of parole plus 10 years in prison. Alamillo was previously convicted by a jury on May 2, 2023, of two first-degree murder counts for the 1993 murders of his estranged wife, Adriana Meza, and her boyfriend, Armando Cauich Jr.