News Releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Johann Bernhardt Patrick (DOB 09/28/06), of Thousand Oaks, has been charged with one count of felony vandalism and one misdemeanor count of a hate crime. Patrick was also charged with the special allegation that the crime was committed in concert with another. Patrick pled not guilty at his arraignment on October 17, 2024.

The full Board of Parole Hearings panel has reversed a previous decision finding inmate Andrew Stuart Luster (DOB 12/15/63) suitable for parole. In August, a two-person parole panel granted Luster’s early release. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko believes the August decision was based on significant errors of fact surrounding Luster’s offenses. In support of reversing the parole grant, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office submitted a letter to the full (En Banc) panel outlining these significant errors of fact.

“Our office stands firmly against the release of Andrew Luster,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “His heinous acts, which include drugging and raping his victims, warrant a full and complete prison sentence. During his time in state prison, Luster has continued to minimize his conduct and releasing him would be a grave injustice to the survivors and a threat to public safety.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Saul C Nava (DOB 04/30/00), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of nine felony counts including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar. Nava was also found guilty of torturing and kidnapping a previous girlfriend who survived his abuse. A judge will decide several special allegations tomorrow during a court trial. The allegations include whether the crimes involved great violence and if the victims were vulnerable.

“Although this result cannot erase the immeasurable pain the defendant inflicted on the victims and their families, we hope that this brings some measure of closure to see him held accountable for his horrific crimes,” Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell said.