District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Manuel Dominguez (DOB 02/28/99), of Santa Maria, was sentenced on November 6, 2024, to 29 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Robert Gutierrez. Dominguez previously pled guilty on August 20, 2024, to one count of murder and admitted to the special allegation that he used a firearm.
Santa Barbara County Man Sentenced to 29 Years to Life for Oxnard Murder
Fatal Shooting by Oxnard Police Department Officer Found Justified
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the review of the circumstances concerning the April 7, 2023, shooting of Cristian Baltazar-Torres by Oxnard Police Department Officer Jarrod Sheffield has been completed.
The full report is available on the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office website and explains the District Attorney’s conclusions that Officer Sheffield acted reasonably, and the use of deadly force in self-defense was justified.
Oxnard Woman Sentenced for Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Concepcion Espinoza Rivera (DOB 03/21/52), of Oxnard, was sentenced on October 29, 2024, to 12 months probation and 60 days in jail for fraudulently obtaining workers compensation benefits to which she was not entitled. Rivera previously pled no contest on September 12, 2024, to one felony charge of insurance fraud and was found guilty by the court.
Former Oxnard Police Officer Charged with Two Counts of Felony Grand Theft
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Randi Breon Vines (DOB 06/08/90) has been charged with two felony counts of grand theft. At the time of the alleged offenses, Vines was employed as a police officer with the City of Oxnard.
“Police officers are entrusted to protect and serve the community,” District Attorney Nasarenko said. “When that trust is violated, they must be held accountable.”
Vines is accused of using his city-issued fuel card to purchase fuel for his personal vehicle. The purchases are alleged to have occurred between September 2022 and May 2024, totaling over $3,300. Vines is also accused of stealing approximately $1,200 from an arrestee on May 5, 2024. Vines was given possession of the arrestee’s personal property, which included cash, following the arrest of the man by the Oxnard Police Department. Prior to booking the suspect into the Ventura County Jail, Vines is accused of stealing most of the arrestee’s cash from an envelope.
Georgia Woman Sentenced in Real Estate Wire Fraud Scheme
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jasmine Shante Faniel, (DOB 05/09/85), also known as Teresa Dennis, of Conyers Georgia, was sentenced on October 30, 2024, to nine months in jail, two years formal probation, and ordered to pay victim restitution for her role in a real estate wire fraud scheme.
District Attorney Warns of New Email Scam
VENTURA, Calif. – In recent weeks, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has received reports of county residents being targeted by a specific email scam. The scam is unnerving because the email begins by listing the victim’s name, phone number, home address, and may even include a photo of the victim’s home. The scammers use this tactic to make the victims feel that they have been singled out and to create fear.
Oxnard Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Two Children
VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Anibal Paz Perez (DOB 01/31/77) of Oxnard, was convicted of multiple sex acts on two minor children. Perez was convicted of one count of committing an unlawful act with a child, two counts of lewd act upon a child, and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The jury also found true all aggravating circumstances and special allegations, including the two victims were under the age of 14, they were vulnerable, that Perez engaged in substantial sexual conduct, and that he took advantage of a position of trust.
Los Angeles County Men Sentenced for Thousand Oaks Mall Robbery
VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Corey Thomas (DOB 04/13/06), of Los Angeles, and Jonathan Requejo (DOB 04/26/06) of Inglewood, were each sentenced on October 29, 2024, to two years in state prison. Both men previously pled guilty on September 10, 2024, to multiple felony counts of second-degree robbery, elder abuse, theft from elder, and conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery. Thomas further pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, and felony evading from law enforcement. Numerous special allegations against each defendant were also found true, including: the crimes involved great violence, the victim was vulnerable, and great bodily injury to an elder over the age of 70.
Second Man Charged for Vandalism Hate Crime in Thousand Oaks
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Matthew Daniel Rakowski (DOB 07/21/06), of Simi Valley, has been charged with one count of felony vandalism and one misdemeanor count of a hate crime. Rakowski was also charged with the special allegation that the crime was committed in concert with another. He is the second suspect charged in this incident. Johann Bernhardt Patrick (DOB 09/28/06), of Thousand Oaks, was charged and arraigned for the same charges on October 17, 2024.
Rakowski will make his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court for arraignment on October 30, 2024, at 9 a.m. in courtroom 11. He is out of custody on $20,000 bail.
Warren Luther Alexander to Stand Trial for Three Cold Case Murders From 1977
Suspected serial killer Warren Luther Alexander (DOB 01/12/51), of Diamondhead, Mississippi, has been held to answer for three murders committed in 1977. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Paul Feldman made the decision on Friday, October 18, 2024, after a three-day preliminary hearing. At the hearing, 13 witnesses were called including three DNA analysts and a fingerprint examiner. Five of the witnesses were part of the original investigation in 1977.
