Category Archives: News Releases

The newly formed Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force today announced the arrest of a Moorpark man who is charged in a federal criminal complaint with soliciting on social media platforms sexually explicit photos from two individuals he thought were 14-year-old girls. Thomas Gissell, 27, of Moorpark, was taken into custody Monday morning by federal and state authorities participating in the Task Force.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Villalobos (DOB 07/02/60), of Oxnard, was found guilty of molesting underage victims. He is facing a maximum of 136 years to life in state prison.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and the California Highway Patrol are announcing that four men have been arrested for burglarizing the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Sandra Dillard (DOB 03/26/82), of Ventura, pled guilty to the willful, deliberate, and premeditated murder of Kelsey Dillon (DOB 09/25/90). Dillard is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that real estate agent Christopher Hicks (DOB 03/05/75), of Simi Valley, pled guilty to multiple felonies. On March 1, 2023, Hicks pled guilty to three felony counts of structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement. Prior to his guilty pleas, Hicks paid $199,000 in restitution to the FTB and $16,148 to the District Attorney’s Office for investigative costs.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Marlicia Alexis Hart (DOB 12/15/98), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud on February 22, 2023.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today, February 27, 2023, that Jonathan Fuentes (DOB 07/11/96), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the murder of Ryan Switzer.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that both people responsible for the death of newborn baby Diego Villa have pled guilty to murder charges.

Maribel Rodarte is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that charges were filed today, February 24, 2023, against Jose Emanuel Posadas (DOB 10/30/01), of Santa Paula, for the death of Joe Ramirez in Ventura. Posadas, a known gang member, is charged with one count of murder and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The special allegation of having strike priors was also applied to both counts.

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