News Releases

On April 21, 2023, Leslie Vargas (DOB 08/03/01), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of insurance fraud.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will host a ceremony at Simi Valley City Hall commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) on April 27, 2023. This will be the first time the annual event will be held in the east county. The event takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will include speakers and a march to raise awareness about crime victims.

Simi Valley is the third largest city in Ventura County and is home to Safe Harbor East, a county-owned facility that assists victims of sexual violence and human trafficking in a residential, homelike setting. The facility offers sexual assault nurse exams, forensic interviews, and one-on-one counseling.
The theme for NCVRW 2023 is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” This year’s ceremony will focus on human trafficking and include remarks from Alia Dewees, a dedicated advocate and trafficking survivor working to end human trafficking and empower others. Ms. Dewees will also be honored with the Resilience Award at the event.

The Ventura County Family Justice Center has served 1,474 victims of crime or trauma who are residents of Simi Valley, Moorpark or Thousand Oaks since opening in 2019.

“Since 1981, we have hosted this annual event to raise awareness of victims’ rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The District Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting victims of crime, learning from their experiences, and amplifying their voices so they are heard, believed and supported.”

Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly will also speak at the ceremony. Ms. Kelly is a member of the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force (VCHTTF), which was established in 2019. Co-led by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Interface Children & Family Services, the task force works to prevent, identify, investigate, disrupt, and prosecute human trafficking crimes in our community. In addition to holding perpetrators accountable, the VCHTTF provides services and resources to victims, spreads community awareness and compiles county-level data and statistics.

The ceremony will honor Dr. Anthony Walls from Healthcare for Justice, Simi Valley Police Detective Kellyn King, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detective Kathryn Torres, with the Justice for Victims Award for their tireless advocacy on behalf of communities that have been affected by crime.

More than 30 community-based organizations and governmental agencies will be on hand providing information about victims’ rights and resources for the public. The event will conclude with a march around Simi Valley City Hall, and food provided by the Habit Burger truck sponsored by the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation.

Members of the public are invited to attend. Those unable to be at this in-person event can watch the event live-streamed on the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office social media platforms. Simultaneous Spanish and Mixteco language interpretation will be provided at the in-person event.

Members of the media are invited to cover the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony and march in Simi Valley. Interviews in advance of the event may be arranged by contacting Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Communications Manager Joey Buttitta at (805) 767-3400.

On April 20, 2023, Arayveion Edwards (DOB 05/13/97), from Florida, pled not guilty at arraignment in the Ventura County Superior Court. Edwards is charged with six felony counts, including human trafficking, pimping and possession of an unregistered loaded firearm and high-capacity magazines.

On April 18, 2023, officers with the Ventura Police Department contacted Edwards regarding an alleged stolen vehicle. During that contact, a female with Edwards pleaded with officers for help. Edwards is accused of bringing the victim from Florida to California and forcing the victim to engage in commercial sex work by using violence and psychological coercion. He is also charged with being in possession of a loaded unregistered firearm and high-capacity magazines at the time of his arrest.

Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Unit, is the prosecutor handling the case.

An early disposition conference is scheduled for May 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Edwards is being held in the Ventura County Jail on $250,000 bail.

On April 20, 2023, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that Austin Allen Eis (DOB 05/29/98), of Camarillo, has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Wesley W. of Thousand Oaks. Eis has also been charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, use of pepper spray, second-degree commercial burglary, first-degree residential burglary, false imprisonment by violence and three misdemeanor counts of brandishing a knife. He is also facing several special allegations, including three counts of causing great bodily injury.

On April 18, 2023, Eis is accused of committing a crime spree throughout Ventura County. Eis is alleged to have entered a Simi Valley Walmart, where he used pepper spray and stabbed one employee, physically assaulted and attempted to drag a second employee and lunged at two additional employees with a knife. After leaving Walmart, Eis is alleged to have fled to a residence in Camarillo and forced his way inside of the home. Eis left Camarillo and is alleged to have driven his vehicle to Thousand Oaks where he intentionally targeted and struck high school students waiting at the bus stop outside of Westlake High School. Wesley W. was one of four students hit by the vehicle driven by Eis.

“Several innocent victims were injured, and a 15-year-old high school student lost his life as a result of this horrendous and senseless series of crimes,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Our county collectively mourns this tragic loss of life and the injuries that have been suffered, and our office will continue to pursue justice and accountability on behalf of the victims and their families.”

Victim Advocates from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office assisted at several scenes and Ventura County hospitals, providing counseling, services, and support. If you find yourself affected by this incident and need local resources, please contact the Ventura County Family Justice Center at (805) 947-7981 or (805) 652-7655.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, is the prosecutor assigned to the case.

Eis appeared in court this afternoon and, through his attorney, continued the arraignment to May 19, 2023, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 13. He is being held in custody without bail.

On April 19, 2023, Jason Armenta (DOB 03/06/01), of Oxnard, was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 50 years to life in prison. Armenta had previously been convicted by a jury on April 26, 2022, of the first-degree murder of Cristobal Gonzalez, a rival gang member. The jury also found Armenta guilty of attempted murder of a second victim, that Armenta personally used a firearm in the commission of the crimes, and that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

On April 4, 2021, Armenta drove multiple times into a residential neighborhood in south Oxnard, looking for rival gang members and eventually parked and exited his car. Armenta then ran toward a playground area where Mr. Gonzalez was standing and fired numerous rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at Mr. Gonzalez and a second victim. Mr. Gonzalez was struck once in the head and died hours later. The other victim was not struck.

The murder of Cristobal Gonzalez and the attempted murder of the second victim was investigated by the Oxnard Police Department. Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Suttner prosecuted the case.

“Gang violence harms our community,” Suttner said. “Armenta’s conduct killed one person but put the lives of an entire residential neighborhood in danger. We will continue to fully prosecute these crimes to help keep our communities safe.”

On April 13, 2023, Javontay Bess (DOB 03/26/96), of Fresno, pled guilty in Ventura County Superior Court to felony human trafficking, by causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act. He also admitted to the special allegation of committing the crime while on probation or parole.

In May 2019, an alert citizen called the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to report suspicious circumstances and possible sex trafficking at a Camarillo motel. Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives initiated an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old victim. Both the minor victim as well as the suspect were from outside Ventura County. Detectives ultimately determined that Bess used online advertising to arrange commercial sex acts with the 16-year-old victim at Ventura County motels.

Bess is currently serving a prison sentence in Kern County after being convicted of multiple felonies including assault with a firearm, assault on a peace officer and child endangerment. He is scheduled for sentencing in Ventura County on May 22, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12.

Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Human Trafficking Unit, prosecuted the case.

“Human beings are not for sale, and particularly not children,” Kelly said. “Sexual exploitation is human trafficking, and it will not be tolerated in Ventura County. The case against Javontay Bess marks a victory in the fight against human trafficking and we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute these crimes.”

Deputy District Attorney Kelly is also a member of the Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force (VCHTTF), which was established in 2019. Co-led by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Interface Children & Family Services, the task force works to prevent, identify, investigate, disrupt and prosecute human trafficking crimes in our community. In addition to holding perpetrators accountable, VCHTTF provides services and resources to victims, spreads community awareness and compiles county-level data and statistics.

Sex trafficking is not a victimless crime. Victims are often young girls and they are typically controlled through force or fear. Combating this problem is a top priority within the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Community members are urged to become more aware of the pervasive problem of human trafficking and to call 911 to report suspicious activity.

On April 7, 2023, Karapet Gasparyan (DOB 06/23/81), and Grigor Gasparyan (DOB 09/07/01), both of North Hollywood, were sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 300 days in Ventura County Jail and two years felony probation. The judge also imposed a four-year state prison suspended sentence on both men. The Gasparyans previously pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit a crime and three counts of grand theft. The guilty pleas included special allegations, including committing two or more related felonies resulting in a loss of more than $100,000.

On August 6, 2020, a witness called 911 to report suspicious activity at a Bank of America ATM in Thousand Oaks. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded and conducted a traffic stop. Karapet Gasparyan and Grigor Gasparyan were found to have 200 fraudulent Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance cards and more than $168,000 cash inside the vehicle. Further investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the EDD and Bank of America revealed the Gasparyans had obtained an additional $199,000 in unemployment insurance benefits from ATM withdrawals at locations in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties between July 2020 and August 2020.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case. Full restitution of $367,000 was recovered from the Gasparyans.

“During COVID, organized groups participated in one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated against the People of California,” said prosecutor Wise referring to EDD fraud. “Holding all participants accountable for unemployment insurance fraud is crucial to deterring the next big fraud.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is warning the public about deceptive letters recently sent to residents. The letters threaten property owners with potential asset levies and/or property seizure. The letters attempt to create a sense of urgency and they include an (800) number to call. Examples of these deceptive correspondence letters are attached to this news release.

Ventura County property owners are reminded that if they have a question on the status of their property taxes, they should contact the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Legitimate letters from the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector will have a local address and a local telephone number. Residents may call the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector at (805) 654-3744 or send an email to helpinghand@ventura.org.

If taxpayers have a question on the status of their state or federal tax liability, they should contact the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or their tax professional. “Unsolicited materials received in the mail are often marketing materials deceptively designed to cause the property owner to become concerned and call the number listed on the mailer,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum.

In addition to deceptive mail solicitors, county residents are urged to be aware of scammers that seek victims through text messages, emails, and phone calls. These scammers use similar tactics:
• They often pretend to be government officials or legitimate businesses.
• They create a sense of urgency to get victims to respond quickly.
• They often demand immediate payment.
• They demand payment with pre-paid cards.
• They ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• They threaten arrest if immediate payment isn’t made.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has several specialized units that investigate fraud. When appropriate, the Consumer Protection Unit will investigate consumer complaints. Any inquiries or referrals about potential violations of consumer laws can be made by calling (805) 662-1750.

On April 4, 2023, Randall Graham (DOB 03/07/78), of Goleta, pled guilty in Ventura County Superior Court to making criminal threats against the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Graham also admitted the special allegation of threatening great bodily harm.

The threats against Conejo Unified were made on October 13, 2022. Graham, upset with school district policies, called the district office and left two voicemails threatening to kill the superintendent and others in the superintendent’s office. He was arrested on October 15, 2022, by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office after an investigation by the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Brandon Yeaton, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Serious and Violent Felonies unit, prosecuted the case.

Graham is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.