News Releases

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Caden Crowell (DOB: 11/19/98), of Camarillo, pled guilty to the first-degree murder of David Smith, age 19, of Thousand Oaks. Crowell also admitted personally using a firearm in the commission of the murder.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on July 9, 2020, Dennis Dean Varadin (DOB 06/07/54), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, immediately followed by 38 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $133,766.88 to victims of his crimes.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten warned today that county residents should be vigilant when using online listing services to secure rental housing. Such services do not typically verify that the person listing a property for rent is actually authorized to do so. This creates an opportunity for criminals to prey upon unsuspecting victims. These fraudsters seek to exploit housing anxiety amid the COVID-19 pandemic as residents face uncertainty regarding the length of temporary mortgage forbearance accommodations.

VENTURA, California –District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Retha Mae Drummond (DOB 3/1/56), of Moorpark, was sentenced after pleading guilty to five felony counts of misappropriation of public funds.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today a warning to the public to be aware of current COVID-19 scams being reported to law enforcement agencies.
Other counties are reporting that scammers are posing as contact tracers to obtain personal information and steal money from unknowing victims. While it is important to respond to phone calls, emails or text messages about a potential exposure to COVID-19, be aware that legitimate contact tracers working with Ventura County or with the State of California will never charge a fee for their services nor ask for personal identifying information such as a social security number, bank account, or health insurance policy number.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Megan Elizabeth Zucaro (DOB 7/11/70), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced to 365 days in jail by Judge Anthony Sabo. Zucaro had previously pled guilty to one felony count of diversion of construction funds. The investigation and prosecution of Zucaro was conducted by the District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alexis Ramirez (DOB 10/23/89), of Oxnard, pled guilty to second-degree murder with the use of a knife and for the benefit of a criminal street gang for the for the January 17, 2009, killing of Alfredo Vargas, also of Oxnard.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten alerts the public to the following announcement regarding People v. Joseph James DeAngelo. Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., 74, pled guilty today to 13 felony counts of first-degree murder and 13 felony counts of kidnapping to commit robbery during a 13-year multicounty crime spree that terrorized much of California during the 1970s and 1980s.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Perry Adam Lieber (DOB 4/23/86), of Santa Barbara, was charged with two felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud and one felony count of perjury. It is alleged that Lieber made material misrepresentations concerning the nature and extent of an industrial injury, as well his true physical abilities. It is also alleged he misrepresented the true state of his income while receiving a disability salary and lied under oath during a deposition.

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that an amended complaint was filed against Vu Cong Dao (DOB 03/04/83), of Palmdale, charging him with voluntary manslaughter for the October 25, 2018, killing of Michael Torres, of Oxnard.