Category Archives: News Releases

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Johann Bernhardt Patrick (DOB 09/28/06), of Thousand Oaks, has been charged with one count of felony vandalism and one misdemeanor count of a hate crime. Patrick was also charged with the special allegation that the crime was committed in concert with another. Patrick pled not guilty at his arraignment on October 17, 2024.

The full Board of Parole Hearings panel has reversed a previous decision finding inmate Andrew Stuart Luster (DOB 12/15/63) suitable for parole. In August, a two-person parole panel granted Luster’s early release. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko believes the August decision was based on significant errors of fact surrounding Luster’s offenses. In support of reversing the parole grant, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office submitted a letter to the full (En Banc) panel outlining these significant errors of fact. “Our office stands firmly against the release of Andrew Luster,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “His heinous acts, which include drugging and raping his victims, warrant a full and complete prison sentence. During his time in state prison, Luster has continued to minimize his conduct and releasing him would be a grave injustice to the survivors and a threat to public safety.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Saul C Nava (DOB 04/30/00), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of nine felony counts including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar. Nava was also found guilty of torturing and kidnapping a previous girlfriend who survived his abuse. A judge will decide several special allegations tomorrow during a court trial. The allegations include whether the crimes involved great violence and if the victims were vulnerable. “Although this result cannot erase the immeasurable pain the defendant inflicted on the victims and their families, we hope that this brings some measure of closure to see him held accountable for his horrific crimes,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara (DOB 07/11/85), a priest in the Archdioceses of Los Angeles during the time of his crimes, pled no contest to one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material. He also admitted all the charged special allegations, including that he possessed over 600 images of child sexual abuse material, including images and videos of prepubescent minors under the age of 12. A member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Martinez-Guevara was associated with several churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has charged Aaron Wayne Bouffard (DOB 02/06/70), of Oxnard, with one felony count of possession or control of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He is also charged with the special allegation that he possessed more than 600 of these images.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Albertsons and Vons entered into a stipulated judgment and will pay $3,962,500 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging the companies engaged in false advertising and unfair competition for repeated price accuracy violations. Albertsons Companies, Safeway Inc., and The Vons Companies operate 589 stores in California. The action was filed in Marin County Superior Court on behalf of the District Attorney’s Offices of Ventura, Marin, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Sonoma, and Alameda Counties. The civil complaint alleged that the companies unlawfully charged customers higher prices than their lowest advertised or posted price. Additionally, some stores were alleged to have sold fresh produce, meat, and bakery items at prices that included the weight of the packaging itself, or for more than the weight of the actual item.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Ramon Joseph Rivas (DOB 02/17/90), of Simi Valley, has been charged with murder for the stabbing death of Jessica Marie Tinoco. Rivas is also charged with two counts of child endangerment and strike enhancements. Rivas made his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on October 1, 2024. His arraignment was continued to October 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13. He remains in custody with no bail.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1831, strengthening laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content. Authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman and co-sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, AB 1831 addresses the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology capable of creating images indistinguishable from traditional photographs, including CSAM. “Assemblymember Berman, with his keen understanding of the dangers posed by deepfake technology, was instrumental in guiding this bill to signature,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Today, a dangerous AI loophole has now been closed.”

Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) announced $1,243,744 in new federal grants to improve public safety, law enforcement response, and support for victims of crimes in Ventura County. The majority of the funding comes through grant programs created through the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which Rep. Carbajal helped revive in 2022 after expiring under the previous administration. “These funds are going to help ensure that there is a fulltime prosecutor at the Ventura County Family Justice Center,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “They will not only advise clients and law enforcement but will also provide direct assistance for domestic violence survivors seeking criminal prosecution.”

A crucial measure that closes a legal loophole in California’s sexual battery laws, Senate Bill 442, has been signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Monique Limón and sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, SB 442 expands the definition of misdemeanor sexual battery to include instances where a perpetrator forces a victim to touch the intimate body part of the perpetrator or another person.