August 20, 2020
VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Santa Paula Police Department Officer Matthew Arthur Alonzo (DOB: 09/28/79), of Ventura, was sentenced for committing auto insurance fraud. During the sentencing hearing, Alonzo’s felony conviction was reduced to a misdemeanor by the court, over the objection of the District Attorney’s Office. The court sentenced Alonzo to sixty days of work release and three years of probation. Alonzo was also ordered to pay restitution to Farmers Insurance Company in the amount of $1,564.
Victim Services Volunteer Program
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office provides services to thousands of victims every year and seeks qualified volunteers to make an important contribution to public safety and crime victims in Ventura County. Volunteer staff complete an initial 48 hours of training, which prepares them to assist victims with certain services, including obtaining a restraining order, emergency shelter placement, and court accompaniment. Volunteer training includes the following subject areas. For more information click here.
Notification Rights
Victims of crime, their next of kin, parent or guardian of minor victims, witness, or concerned citizens may request to be notified of the release, death, or escape of a convicted offender. Click here to Read More Requests for notification may be made by completing a “Request for Victim Services” Form (CDCR 1707), which available on the CDCR website below, or by contacting the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and ServicesPO Box 942883Sacramento, CA 94283E-mail: Victimservices@cdcr.ca.govWebsite: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/victim-services/ Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) VINE is an automated service that lets you track the custody status of an adult offender who is in state prison or local jail by visiting www.vinelink.com or calling (877) 411-5588. Ventura County Jail Inmate Custody Status Information on custody status is available for inmates who are currently in custody at the Ventura…
Summary of Victims’ Rights
The California Victims’ Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy’s Law, was enacted by voters on November 4, 2008. This measure amended the California Constitution to provide additional rights to victims. (Cal. Const., Article 1, section 28 (a)-(e).) The Victims’ Bill of Rights provides crime victims with the following rights, as summarized below: Click here to Read More
Services Provided to Victims
The Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit was established for the purpose of reducing the trauma and insensitive treatment that victims may experience in the wake of a crime. Victim advocates provide comprehensive services to victims, including the following: Click here to Read More
Workers’ Compensation Fraud
The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit actively investigates and prosecutes crimes involving employees who knowingly make misrepresentations to obtain workers’ compensation benefits to which they are not entitled, or employers who knowingly deny valid workers’ compensation benefits to their employees. Employers and insurance companies that suspect fraudulent claims report cases to the Department of Insurance for investigation which refers cases to the unit’s prosecutors and investigators. Other cases are initiated from undercover investigations into workers’ compensation fraud mills involving unscrupulous attorneys, doctors, and insurance agents. Workers’ compensation fraud causes honest employers to incur increased operating costs due to higher premiums in today’s challenging economic climate. This higher cost of doing business is passed directly to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services. Moreover, honest workers who are genuinely injured face delays in receiving benefits because of the closer scrutiny their claims receive. Workers’ compensation fraud prevents healthy…
Special Investigations
Created in 2008, the Special Investigations Unit serves the in-house investigative needs of the District Attorney’s Office. Investigators in the unit may conduct background investigations on prospective employees, investigations of citizen complaints involving members of the District Attorney’s Office, and internal administrative investigations. External investigations involving public corruption and organized crime, as determined by the District Attorney in consultation with the Bureau’s Chief Investigator, are also handled by this unit.
Sexual Assault
Investigators in the Sexual Assault Family Protection Unit work closely with prosecutors handling sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence cases. In most cases, once charges are filed, investigators and victim advocates are assigned to assist the attorneys as members of the prosecution team. Investigators work closely with attorneys to ensure all evidence is obtained and cases are properly prepared for trial. Significant time is spent with victims to prepare them for the trial process. Investigators receive specialized training in proper interviewing of child victims and special care is taken with them in all stages of the case. The unit’s investigators may also partner with local law enforcement agencies in investigations of potential criminal conduct before charges are evaluated by prosecutors. As a result, investigators become engaged in the earliest possible phase of these cases.
Real Estate Fraud
The Real Estate Fraud Unit investigates crimes involving recorded real estate documents. Criminal real estate fraud may involve home equity fraud, securities fraud related to real estate, foreclosure rescue fraud and mortgage fraud. Victims of criminal real estate fraud are encouraged to report these crimes to their local police department or file a complaint with our office. The Real Estate Fraud Unit accepts complaints directly from the public and the complaint form is available, click here, or may be obtained from the District Attorney’s Office staff who are available during regular business hours. The Real Estate Fraud Unit’s telephone and fax numbers are (805) 662-1750 or fax (805) 662-1770. For the office location, click here.