Oxnard Gang Member Convicted of Murder
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Michael Ortega (DOB 03/05/00), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on August 9, 2024, of murdering John Paul Carrillo. The jury also found Ortega guilty of multiple gun charges, including felony possession of a gun with methamphetamine, felony possession of a gun by a felon, and felony possession of a sawed-off shotgun. “Hopefully, the verdict brings some form of solace to the family who lost their grandson to a group of men intent on enforcing territory claimed by a gang,” Ms. Pollara said. “The jury very carefully deliberated before returning verdicts reflecting the culpability of the defendant.”
WATCH: Warren Luther Alexander News Conference
August 8, 2024, news conference on the Warren Luther Alexander case from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Suspected Serial Killer Charged with 1977 Murders
Investigators from the Ventura County Cold Case Unit have arrested Warren Luther Alexander (DOB 01/12/51), of Diamondhead, Mississippi, on three counts of murder, related to a series of strangulation murders that occurred in 1977. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed three counts of first-degree murder against Alexander. He was extradited to California and arrived on August 6, 2024, from Surry County, North Carolina, where he is awaiting prosecution for a 1992 cold case murder committed in that jurisdiction. Alexander’s first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on August 7, 2024. The arraignment was continued to August 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11. He is being held in Ventura County Jail without bail.
Oxnard Man Convicted of Multiple Counts of Child Sexual Abuse
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Omar Cruz-Hernandez (DOB 07/02/85), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury on August 2, 2024, of seven felony counts of child sexual abuse. The convictions included felony counts of forcible rape, engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under ten, committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child, and continuous sexual abuse of a child. The jury also found true the allegation that Cruz-Hernandez sexually assaulted multiple victims.Cruz-Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He faces a potential sentence of 150 years and 8 months to life in prison. He remains in custody without bail.
DA’s Office to Receive $220,000 Grant for East County Family Justice Center
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to receive $220,000 in California grant funding to assist in establishing an East County Family Justice Center (FJC). Funding was awarded by the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Emerging Family Justice Center Grant Program.
Los Angeles County Man Charged with Crime Spree
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Makare Darnell Toliver (DOB 04/07/2003), of Lancaster, has been charged with two counts of robbery with a gun and evading a police officer causing death. Toliver is also charged with three additional felonies related to his conduct.
Oxnard Man Charged with Murder for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodney Rey Yanez (DOB 03/11/69), of Oxnard, has been charged with the second-degree murder of Dylan Rusch. This marks the first time the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed murder charges against a defendant who knowingly sold the deadly synthetic drug, fentanyl, to a victim who overdosed and died. Yanez is also charged with an additional nine felonies and four misdemeanors related to his alleged drug possession and sale activity. “The filing of murder charges in a fentanyl overdose case underscores the grave responsibility we have to protect our community from the devastating impact of this deadly drug,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “We are committed to seeking justice for victims and holding accountable those who provide this poison.” Yanez made his first court appearance today and his arraignment was continued to August 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura…
Santa Paula Man Convicted of 12 Felonies for Gun & Ammo Possession
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Refugio Cortez (DOB 07/18/86), of Santa Paula, was convicted by a jury on July 17, 2024, of a dozen felony counts of unlawful possession of guns and ammunition. The convictions included 11 felony counts of owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm by a felon and one felony count of being a person prohibited from possessing ammunition.
City of Oxnard Partners with District Attorney’s Office to Combat Internet Crimes Against Children
The City of Oxnard has entered a partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to intensify efforts against Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC). This three-year agreement, beginning July 1, 2024, commits a total of $494,544 to support the assignment of a dedicated investigator from the District Attorney’s Office to tackle these heinous crimes within Oxnard.
Boost Oxygen Ordered to Pay $413,000 for False Advertising relating to “Recreational Oxygen” Products
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Boost Oxygen, LLC, a Connecticut-based company, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $413,000 in penalties and investigative costs to settle a civil lawsuit brought by multiple district attorney’s offices. The lawsuit alleged violations of the California Unfair Competition Law, Business & Professions Code § 17200, and the California False Advertising Law, Business & Professions Code § 17500. Boost sells recreational oxygen canisters online and in brick-and-mortar stores. The company previously advertised that its products could alleviate physical ailments such as altitude sickness. An investigation showed that many of Boost’s claims were false or unsupported by evidence.