Author Archives: News Releases

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Los Angeles County resident Theodore Brian Childers (DOB 6/24/38) pled guilty to one felony count of Penal Code section 115, recording a false document.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a misdemeanor charge of battery is approved for filing against Martha Kuppenbender (DOB 7/25/57), of Ventura, related to a traffic and pedestrian incident that occurred at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Telephone Road in the city of Ventura on July 19, 2020. Kuppenbender has agreed to participate in the Ventura County District Attorney’s Misdemeanor Diversion Program for her role in the battery.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Raymond Gutierrez Jr. (DOB 11/16/59), of Ventura, a former manager in the County of Ventura Public Works Agency, pled no contest to a misdemeanor violation of failing to file an accurate Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Richard Steven Valencia (DOB 09/26/78), of Santa Paula, was charged in the October 9, 2020, shooting of Samir Salgado, also of Santa Paula. The complaint charges one count of attempted murder with an allegation that Mr. Valencia personally used a firearm, one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon on Mr. Salgado, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that William Justin Koznar (DOB 04/27/88), of Moorpark, was charged with the October 7, 2020, murder of Sara Goodwin, of Modesto, California.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Vidal Fregoso (DOB 11/04/69), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 30 days confinement in the Ventura County jail, 400 hours of community service, 36 months of formal probation, and a $5,000 fine.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the review by the District Attorney’s Office of the circumstances surrounding the October 10, 2018, shooting of Michael Johnson by Ventura County Sheriff’s Sergeant Russell King and Deputy Justyn Czyrklis has been completed.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Anthony Macias (DOB 09/21/92), of Oxnard, has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit and run resulting in death for the killing of John Romero, of Port Hueneme, on September 30, 2020.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Gabriel Cortez (DOB 2/21/1997), of Oxnard, was charged with the September 27, 2020, murder of Rogelio Lara, also of Oxnard. The complaint charges one count of murder with a special allegation that Cortez used a firearm in the commission of the crime.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that October 1, 2020, marks the third anniversary of the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting. Approximately 65 percent of the more than 24,000 attendees of the 2017 Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival were from California, with the majority residing in Southern California.