News Releases

Childhood Matters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and families through mental health support, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Childhood Matters Wellness Center (CMWC) on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at 2982 Martha Drive in Ventura.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that  Manuel Alejandro Vasquez (DOB 02/10/78), a defendant in the 1998 murder of Felipe Arambula, has been extradited from Mexico. Vasquez is charged with murder, attempted kidnapping, first-degree residential burglary, and false imprisonment by violence. He also faces a special allegation of murder during a kidnapping. Vasquez made his first court appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on April 17, 2025. He fled to Mexico before charges were filed for the 1998 murder.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has reached a civil settlement with Shija Cho, the former owner of Unique Cleaners in Ventura, for the improper disposal of hazardous waste.

The case stems from the abandonment of hazardous materials, including dry cleaning chemicals containing perchloroethylene (PERC), discovered in Los Angeles County and traced back to Unique Cleaners at 2307 East Main Street. Cho operated the dry-cleaning business until it closed in June 2024.

“Our office is committed to protecting public health and the environment by holding businesses accountable for the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “This case reinforces the responsibility business owners have to manage toxic waste responsibly, from generation to final disposal.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that William Porter McHenry, a commercial fishing boat captain, has been ordered to pay fines for illegally dumping toxic waste into California waters.

McHenry owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc., which runs the 67-foot commercial fishing vessel Sea Pearl. On December 6, 2024, McHenry allowed waste known as “stick water” to be dumped into the ocean. This waste can pollute the water and harm marine life. Authorities saw the Sea Pearl heading out to sea while releasing stick water, then turning back toward shore without crossing the state waters boundary line.

On April 11, 2025, the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) concluded a multi-year investigation into a fatal overdose that occurred in the city of Simi Valley. The investigation led to the arrest and federal indictment of 43-year-old Simi Valley resident, Michael McDevitt.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Austin Allen Eis (DOB 05/29/98), of Camarillo, has been sentenced to 85 years to life in state prison for a violent crime spree that culminated in the murder of 15-year-old Wesley Welling and left several others severely injured.

The two-day sentencing hearing was marked by a series of deeply emotional victim impact statements from survivors and family members, many sharing how Eis’ actions shattered their lives forever. Kelly Welling, Wesley’s mother, addressed the court and the defendant directly.

“No nightmare I can ever have is worse than waking up to this reality—to know that the last thing my son might have seen is your face,” Kelly said in court. “You robbed me of my son and the world of a boy who would have become an amazing man. At 15, he was already more of a man than you could ever be. You are not seen as powerful. You are seen as the coward that you are who chose to hurt children.”

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko testified this week in the Assembly Public Safety Committee supporting Assembly Bill 1344, a measure aimed at significantly enhancing public safety. This new legislative proposal, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, is designed to empower district attorneys to petition the courts for Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), a crucial tool in preventing gun violence. Laws authorizing GVROs are commonly referred to as “Red Flag Laws” and they allow a judge to temporarily prohibit firearm possession by a person who poses a significant danger to themself or others.

“This is a common sense public safety bill with due process protections that will help to save lives,” District Attorney Nasarenko explained in his testimony. “Prosecutors are in the unique position to understand when this restraining order is needed and are able to provide a consistent and thorough approach to gun violence restraining orders. This will free up law enforcement and first responders to handle 911 calls and core investigative functions, rather than be in court where there are often delays.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Lucio Sedeno (DOB 11/12/90), of Oxnard, has been charged with assault on a peace officer, resisting a peace officer causing serious bodily injury, and failure to update his annual sex offender registration. Sedeno also faces two special allegations, including causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony.

“This case underscores the dangers our law enforcement officers face in the line of duty,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “We will vigorously prosecute those who threaten our public safety officers and cause harm to members of our community.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Zarbab Ali (DOB 01/04/97), of Hawthorne, has been held to answer for the first-degree murder of Simi Valley resident Rachel Castillo.

Following a two-day preliminary hearing, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Paul Feldman determined there was sufficient evidence to move forward to trial. In addition to the murder charge, Judge Feldman held Ali to answer on multiple special allegations, including the use of a deadly weapon, murder committed for financial gain, and murder committed by means of lying in wait. Ali is also charged with the unlawful mutilation, disinterment, or act of sexual contact upon a human corpse.

“This was a senseless and brutal killing that shocked our community,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “We remain committed to securing justice for Rachel Castillo and her loved ones for this horrific crime.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Marcelino Arias Arca (DOB 06/19/56), of Oxnard, was sentenced on April 7, 2025, to 480 years to life in state prison for molesting two child victims. Arca was previously convicted by a jury on March 5, 2025, of six felony counts of lewd acts upon a child. The jury also found true a special allegation that there were multiple victims. Arca admitted other special allegations including two prior convictions for molestation in 1988.

“Decades ago, this defendant went to prison for sexually abusing a child. When given a second chance, he chose not to change—instead, he went on to sexually abuse two more children, this time within his own family,” Mr. Moreno said. “This sentence reflects the severe and lasting harm he caused and sends a clear message that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated, especially by repeat offenders.”