News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Gerardo Israel Escalante (DOB 05/25/89), of Santa Paula, has been charged with felony driving under the influence (DUI) causing injury, felony driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol causing injury, and one misdemeanor count for unlawful vehicle operation. Escalante has also been charged with several special allegations, including causing great bodily injury in the commission of a felony and for having prior DUI convictions.

Escalante’s arraignment was continued this morning to December 27, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He’s currently in custody with bail set at $500,000.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Mauricio Torres (03/31/82), of Simi Valley, pled guilty and was sentenced on December 15, 2023, for failing to have workers’ compensation insurance, a misdemeanor. Torres was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. He also previously paid $9,868 in restitution to State Fund, a worker’s compensation insurance company.

The top law enforcement officials from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and the Ventura County Chief Executive Dr. Sevet Johnson joined Rep. Carbajal to emphasize the impact that fentanyl trafficking has had on the Central Coast, including the deadly rise in opioid-related overdoses in recent years.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Scott Goldberg (DOB 05/22/02), of Newbury Park, was arraigned on felony murder and felony assault with a deadly weapon charges stemming from an alleged hammer attack on his parents. His mother, Alison Marshall died from her injuries. Goldberg pled not guilty in Ventura County Superior Court today. He also denied all special allegations, including that he personally used a deadly weapon and that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on December 15, 2023, Derrick Toole (DOB 09/27/64) of Woodland Hills, pled guilty to two felony stalking charges. The crime of stalking occurs when any person willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family. Toole also admitted to the special allegation that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on December 13, 2023, Miles Matthew Berry (DOB 02/21/89), of Newbury Park, was sentenced to 180 days in Ventura County Jail and 24 months of formal probation. As part of his probation terms, Berry is prohibited from owning any animals. Berry had previously pled guilty on November 9, 2023, to felony commercial burglary over $950 and felony cruelty to an animal. He also admitted to the special allegation that the crime involved great violence.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Vidal Vargas Morales (DOB 12/30/60), of Fillmore, was convicted by a Ventura County jury of one felony count of lewd acts upon a child who was 15 years old. The court also found true the special allegation that Morales took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.

At the regular meeting, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a professional services contract with Anderson Kulwiec Appleby Architects (AKA), from Santa Paula. The architectural firm will be completing architectural and engineering services for the remodel of the recently acquired 545-555 South A Street building in Oxnard, the future home of the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center (FJC).

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Samuel William Lafond (DOB 04/01/88), of Santa Barbara, has been arraigned on one felony charge of luring after a sting operation by the Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF). Lafond pled not guilty at his arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court.

The District Attorneys of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo have joined forces with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to create a safe and sober driving message for the month of December, which is Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The PSA highlights the dangers and life-changing consequences that impaired driving can have. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Senior Investigator Judi Estrada shares her story. Judi was struck by a drunk driver while in the car with her family. The crash has impacted every aspect of her life since that day.