News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Erick Estrada (DOB 08/31/88), of Ventura, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 126 years to life for the murder of Gabriel Gutierrez, and the attempted murder of two other men in a separate incident. Estrada was previously convicted by a jury on February 14, 2024, of the first-degree murder of Mr. Gutierrez, and for the attempted murder and assault with a firearm of both Michael Owens and Thomas Bakkila. Special allegations related to all counts were found to be true, including that Estrada committed the murder while lying in wait, and that he intentionally discharged a firearm.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Kevin Ray James (DOB 09/23/67), of San Bernardino, has been held to answer for the 1997 murder of Monica Leech. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan made the decision on April 10, 2024, after a three-day preliminary hearing where witnesses and evidence were presented.

An information arraignment is scheduled for April 24, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. James remains in custody without bail.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko testified in support of Assembly Bill 1831, during today’s Public Safety Committee hearing in Sacramento. The bill successfully passed out of the committee and will move on to the Privacy Committee. The proposed legislation, introduced by California Assemblymember Marc Berman and co-sponsored by District Attorney Nasarenko, seeks to strengthen laws against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated content, to better protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

“Right now, there is a gap in California Law,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Changes need to be made to keep up with the quickly changing technology. This is a serious, prurient, and very disturbing problem that the law needs to address.”

A Ventura County man was sentenced today to 140 months in federal prison for soliciting on social media platforms sexually explicit photos from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
Thomas Kern Gissell, 29, of Moorpark, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also placed Gissell on 20 years of supervised release when Gissell eventually is released from prison and ordered him to pay $5,100 in special assessments and $27,000 in restitution.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Margarita Jimenez (DOB 02/03/91), and Jorge Alberto Garfias (DOB 08/31/87), both from Oxnard, have been charged with the kidnapping and murder of Yanelly Vargas. They also face numerous special allegations and enhancements, including Jimenez being alleged to have personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, and Garfias taking advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.

The continued arraignment for Jimenez and Garfias is scheduled for May 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Both remain in custody with no bail.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Dr. Fernando Juarez Gomez, Jr. (DOB 12/09/80), of Oxnard, has been charged with eight felony counts of sexual battery by fraudulent misrepresentation. He is also charged with special allegations that he took advantage of a position of trust or authority.
Gomez, Jr. pled not guilty to all counts at today’s arraignment.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68), of Santa Paula, was sentenced to 365 days in Ventura County Jail, two years felony probation, and ordered to repay $354,522.08 in restitution. A 6-year 8-month state prison sentence was suspended and will be imposed if Torres violates any terms of probation or fails to report to jail. She previously pled guilty on February 15, 2024, to eight felony counts of grand theft, forgery, and grand theft by embezzlement. Torres also admitted to special allegations and aggravating factors on each count, which included an excessive loss of over $100,000 and taking advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the crime.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Daniel Naumann    (DOB 12/24/57), of Camarillo, pled guilty to one felony count of grand theft of water. Naumann owns and operates Naumann Family Farms, in Oxnard, and is a publicly-elected board member of the United Water Conservation District (United). He was also an alternate board member of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (Fox Canyon).

“Stealing water is a serious crime,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This felony conviction holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and sends a clear message that evading fees and illegally diverting water will result in criminal consequences.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Anthony Arnold (DOB 07/19/71), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of stalking, one felony count of extortion by threatening letter, and three misdemeanor counts of distributing private intimate photos.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Howard Syner (DOB 08/01/61), of Whittier, was sentenced to 7 years 8 months in state prison and ordered to pay $987,250 plus interest for stealing more than $1 million from a Thousand Oaks doctor. He previously pled guilty on June 22, 2023, to 13 counts of grand theft and admitted he stole more than $500,000.

“This case emphasizes the need to verify and supervise when allowing another person to access your financial records, regardless of your relationship,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise said. “No matter how smart you are, you can become a victim when you trust but don’t verify.”