July 13, 2023
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on July 3, 2023, defendant PetSmart, LLC, a California limited liability company, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $1,460,000 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging that it engaged in false advertising and acts of unfair competition. Specifically, the complaint alleged that PetSmart unlawfully charged customers higher prices at checkout than what was listed in the aisle, in violation of Business & Professions Code sections 17200, 17500, and 12024.2(a)(2). This action was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on behalf of the District Attorneys of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Marin counties.
July 11, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Joel Randy Montijo (DOB 11/24/95), of Cerritos, and Joseph Martinez (DOB 06/21/98), of Port Hueneme, were sentenced for their roles in a 2017 murder and robbery spree in Oxnard. Montijo, who previously pled guilty on July 28, 2022, to one count of second-degree murder and four counts of second-degree robbery, was sentenced to 35 years to life in state prison. Martinez, who pled guilty on November 2, 2020, to two counts of voluntary manslaughter, four counts of second-degree robbery, and one count of attempted second-degree robbery, was sentenced to 20 years 8 months prison.
July 7, 2023
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Virgil Toader Negru (DOB 10/13/82), of Romania, was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 240 days jail and two years felony probation. Negru previously pled guilty on June 6, 2023, to one count of felony identity theft and one count of forgery related to card skimming government fraud schemes. Since March 2023, Negru and seven other Romanian skimming suspects have been arrested for skimming crimes tied to Ventura County. Five of the suspects have been linked to one another and are alleged to have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in EBT CalWORKs money.
July 5, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko advises Ventura County businesses that the District Attorney’s Office actively investigates and prosecutes instances of worker exploitation, fraud perpetrated against employees, and wage workers’ compensation fraud to protect employees by ensuring all businesses operating in Ventura County provide their employees with the appropriate medical care and benefits.
June 30, 2023
On June 28, 2023, Jennifer Itzel Perez Velazquez (DOB 01/06/01) and Jesus Manuel Godinez Valadez (12/19/93), both of Oxnard, pled no contest to one count of insurance fraud and were found guilty by the court.
June 28, 2023
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is warning Ventura County residents and visitors about the dangers of illegal fireworks as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July. The use and dangers of illegal fireworks are present in all our communities throughout the county. These illegal fireworks cause fires, injuries to our children, and loud explosions that are stressful to many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Ventura County, all fireworks are illegal except for those described as “Safe and Sane”, which are only legal in the city of Fillmore. Please be aware that even if you purchase “Safe and Sane” fireworks in Fillmore, it is illegal to use or possess them anywhere in Ventura County outside of Fillmore. MORE:
June 22, 2023
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68), of Santa Paula, pled not guilty at arraignment in the Ventura County Superior Court on June 21, 2023. Torres is charged with 25 felony counts, including grand theft and forgery.
June 20, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Javontay Bess (DOB 03/26/96), of Fresno, was sentenced on June 16, 2023, in Ventura County Superior Court to 15 years 4 months prison. Bess previously pled guilty on April 13, 2023, to felony human trafficking, by causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act.
June 14, 2023
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Taco Bell Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, GCTB LLC, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $85,500. The money covers civil penalties, restitution, and costs to resolve allegations of violating California Civil Code section 1749.5, relating to the redemption of gift cards with a value of less than $10.
June 13, 2023
On June 12, 2023, a Ventura County jury found Pedro Galindo (DOB 07/30/66), of Simi Valley, guilty of felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor vandalism.