News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Azzan Sandhu (DOB 01/26/96), of Fullerton, has been charged with nine felony counts related to the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female incarcerated at the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF), in Camarillo, California. The charges include seven counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one count of using a child for the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and one count of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense. Each count also carries a special allegation that Sandhu took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses. Sandhu was arraigned today and pled not guilty to all charges and allegations.

Sandhu is scheduled for an early disposition conference on April 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Tyler Fernandes (DOB 02/11/99), of Ventura, was sentenced on March 18, 2024, to 12 years state prison for the death of his father, Michael Fernandes. Jason Fernandes previously pled guilty on February 15, 2024, to one count of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted to four special allegations and aggravating factors, including that he used scissors as a deadly weapon and that the victim was vulnerable.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Guadelupe Calderon (DOB 02/25/93), of Oxnard, was convicted by a jury for the first-degree murder of Edwin Herrera, a young father and non-gang member. The jury also found true the gun special allegation. Calderon waived jury regarding other allegations, including a gang enhancement and a gang special circumstance, and the judge found those true.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Paul Herder (DOB 03/20/58), of Pahoa, Hawaii, pled guilty to six felony counts involving sexual conduct with a student. Herder pled to two counts of luring, digital penetration of a minor, oral copulation of a minor under 18, unlawful sexual intercourse, and using a minor for sex acts. He also admitted special allegations that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit these offenses.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Luiz Armando Ayala (DOB 12/01/01), of Oxnard, was sentenced on March 12, 2024, to four years prison for the driving under the influence death of John Sherman Winter. Ayala previously pled guilty on January 16, 2024, to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of being an unlicensed driver. He also admitted to special allegations, including that he fled the scene of the crime, and that the crime involved great violence.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Armando Gutierrez (DOB 11/06/75), of El Monte, has been charged with four felony counts and two misdemeanors related to a vehicle pursuit through parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The charges include assault with a deadly weapon, evading an officer, unlawful taking of a vehicle, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence of any alcohol or drug, and resisting arrest. Gutierrez is also charged with the special allegations that he has prior strike offenses and prior serious or violent felony convictions.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on March 6, 2024, Keith David McDowell-Satyananda (DOB 10/30/76), of Los Angeles, pled guilty to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one felony count of driving under the influence causing injury. He also admitted to four special allegations, including that he fled the scene of the crime, caused great bodily injury in commission of a felony, and that the crime involved great violence.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on March 5, 2024, Arayveion Edwards (DOB 05/13/97), of Florida, pled guilty to six felony counts, including human trafficking, pimping and possession of an unregistered loaded firearm and high-capacity magazine. He also admitted to the special allegation that the victim was vulnerable.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jameson Paul Johnson (DOB 11/12/82), a transient from Ventura, was convicted by a jury on March 1, 2024, of 13 felony counts for sexual offenses committed against a child. The convictions included six counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child, six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and one count of forcible rape. The jury also found true special allegations connected to various counts, including allegations that the crimes involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and Johnson engaged in substantial sexual conduct with the victim.

Today, a judge found true additional special allegations and enhancements during a court trial.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to receive funding through the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the application and acceptance of the grant funds.