News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Bryn Spejcher (DOB 01/25/91), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Chad O’Melia, whom she had been dating for a few weeks.
On May 27, 2018, Spejcher went to Mr. O’Melia’s apartment in Thousand Oaks, where both took several hits from a bong loaded with marijuana. Spejcher had an adverse reaction to the marijuana and suffered from what experts call Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder. During that psychotic episode, Spejcher stabbed Mr. O’Melia multiple times killing him. She also stabbed herself repeatedly.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Aaron James Mora (DOB 04/14/98), of Oxnard, was sentenced to two years prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. Mora previously pled guilty on October 17, 2023, to one felony count of sending harmful matter to a child. He also admitted to the special allegations that the victim was vulnerable and that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 21, 2023, Euren Balbuena (DOB 11/29/90), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of his girlfriend Zaira Patino-Trejo. The jury also found Balbuena guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against the victim’s mother and battery causing great bodily injury against Patino-Trejo.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Shiloh Chenoweth (DOB 02/12/84), of Ventura, was convicted by a jury of two felony counts: possession of fentanyl for sale, and possession of methamphetamine for sale. The defendant admitted the special allegations that he had a prior “serious” felony conviction, which also qualified as a prior “strike” offense under California’s Three Strikes laws.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on November 16, 2023, Osvaldo Hernandez (DOB 05/22/99), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder for a shooting that killed Robert De La Cerda. He also pled guilty to one count of attempted robbery, three counts of robbery, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Hernandez admitted to several special allegations as well, including that he personally used a firearm in the murder of Mr. De La Cerda.

Today, November 17, 2023, Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, pled not guilty at arraignment to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. Alnaji also denied the special allegations that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.

On Friday November 17, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff held a news conference regarding the arrest and the charges filed against Loay Alnaji in the death of Paul Kessler.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today, November 16, 2023, that two felony charges will be filed against Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), of Moorpark, in connection with the death of Paul Kessler. Alnaji has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury. Both charges have special allegations that Alnaji personally inflicted great bodily injury.

Today, November 16, 2023, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officially submitted their investigation into the death of Paul Kessler to the District Attorney’s Office. Sheriff’s investigators arrested Loay Alnaji (DOB 05/06/73), at his home in Moorpark this morning.

Throughout their investigation, prosecutors have been in daily consultation with the Sheriff’s Office and are finalizing review of the evidence. A charging decision is expected by later today and a status update will be issued at that time.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will have a specialized prosecution team to handle alcohol and drug-impaired driving cases through a $523,621 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS.)  
This is the twelfth consecutive year the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has received the funding for a specialized DUI prosecution program. Last year, the prosecution team filed 1,156 DUI cases, including 105 DUI drug cases and 12 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases.