News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (VCDA) has issued a cease-and-desist demand to the Ojai City Council. The cease-and-desist demand alleges the Ojai City Council violated the Brown Act.

The Brown Act requires meetings of qualifying legislative bodies to be open to the public, with an opportunity for public comment. This requirement is subject to narrow exceptions specified within the Brown Act. The VCDA concluded the Ojai City Council exceeded these exceptions during closed sessions in violation of the Brown Act.

Ojai City Councilmember Leslie Rule first disclosed the violations to the media and later reported them to the VCDA. Although the Brown Act allows the disclosure of closed-session information to the District Attorney, there was no applicable exception that allowed Rule to first publicly disclose the violations to the media.

Accordingly, Rule’s initial disclosure of the Council’s closed-session violations to the media constitutes a separate violation of the Brown Act.

“Absent a valid exception, a city’s council deliberations and decision making must be open to public scrutiny,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The Council’s closed-session discussions violated the Brown Act, as did Councilmember Rule’s disclosure of those discussions to the media instead of the Office of the District Attorney.”

The allegations were reviewed by Senior Deputy District Attorney Anthony Wold, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Librado Ruiz Rojo (DOB 01/23/01), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one felony count of second-degree murder for the death of Carlos Murillo. Rojo also admitted to the special allegation that he killed Murillo with a knife.

On January 26, 2020, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a residence on Sycamore Street in Oxnard regarding a stabbing victim at a house party. Emergency medical personnel also responded, but the victim died at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

Investigators later learned that Rojo and Murillo attended the same party. As Murillo’s group was leaving, Rojo challenged them to a fight. A fight ensued between the two men and Rojo stabbed Murillo multiple times. An autopsy showed Murillo was stabbed 10 times.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The family and friends of Carlos Murillo have had to endure so much over the past three-and-a-half years trying to understand why Carlos was gone, while simultaneously and tirelessly advocating for the person who murdered him to be brought to justice,” Barrick said. “Today’s guilty plea will serve as a testament to the strength they have displayed during this awful ordeal that no family should ever have to bear.”

Rojo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodolfo Duran (DOB 07/31/95), of Santa Paula, was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 34 years to life in prison. Duran previously pled guilty on April 6, 2023, to sodomy of a child 10 years of age or younger and forcible sodomy of a child under 14 years of age for conduct related to two separate victims. Duran also admitted to the special allegations that the crimes involved great violence, he took advantage of a position of trust, and the victims were vulnerable.

In 2018, one of the victims reported the crimes to her Santa Paula school teacher. Detectives quickly identified a second victim and established that Duran had molested them for years. While being interviewed by detectives from the Santa Paula Police Department, Duran confessed to the allegations.

Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The victims in this case demonstrated incredible courage by reporting the unimaginable abuse they suffered at the hands of the defendant,” Moreno said. “It is my hope that today’s sentence provides them with a sense of closure and justice while also sending a clear message that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Ventura County.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office takes allegations of sexual abuse seriously. We are committed to holding perpetrators of these crimes accountable and ensuring that victims receive the support and resources they need to heal.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that on May 2, 2023, Robert Ryan McGraa (DOB 06/01/81), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced to 15 years 4 months state prison after pleading guilty to six felony charges related to human trafficking, possession of child sexual abuse material, and luring a minor for a lewd purpose. McGraa is a previously convicted sex offender and human trafficker.

In 2019, members of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation received a tip that McGraa had child sexual abuse material in his email account. After a lengthy and comprehensive investigation, investigators discovered that McGraa had numerous images of prepubescent child females being sexually assaulted by adult males. McGraa actively exchanged these types of images over the internet with other child sexual assault predators.

McGraa had multiple prior felony convictions of sexual crimes against minors. In 2005, he was arrested by the Ridgecrest Police Department for sex crimes, including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Upon his conviction, he was sentenced to 16 months prison and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Another prior conviction initiated from an arrest of McGraa in 2016 by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s detectives received an anonymous tip that McGraa was posting nude images of a 15-year-old child runaway. McGraa had arranged for several suspects to pay for sex with the child victim. McGraa pled guily to commercial sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced to five years prison.

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

“Robert McGraa preyed on vulnerable individuals and exploited them for his own benefit,” Kelly said. “Thanks to the courage of the victims, and the tenacity of Supervising District Attorney Investigator Terry Dobrosky and our other law enforcement partners, our community is now safe from McGraa’s dangerous and manipulative conduct.”

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.

Some indicators of sex trafficking may include sudden or unexplained changes in behavior, mood, or appearance; signs of physical abuse or neglect; poor hygiene or malnutrition; frequent absences from school or work; unexplained increase in cash or purchases; multiple cell phones; lack of control over their own finances; being accompanied by someone else at all times; and disconnection from friends and family.

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. You can also contact the Forever Found R.E.A.C.H. Emergency Hotline for youth (805) 261-1212, or the Interface Human Trafficking Hotline for adults (800) 636-6738.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Everardo Meza Alamillo (DOB 08/24/69), of Santa Paula, was convicted by a Ventura County jury of two first-degree murder counts for the 1993 murders of his estranged wife, Adriana Meza, and her boyfriend, Armando Cauich Jr. The jury also found true the special allegations that Alamillo personally used a firearm and committed multiple murders.

On October 13, 1993, Alamillo went to visit his daughter at Ms. Meza’s home in Santa Paula. Ms. Meza allowed the visit because she wanted Alamillo to be a part of their daughter’s life. Alamillo left and returned later that evening, parked his vehicle nearby, and waited with a loaded .22-caliber rifle. Alamillo eventually entered the home through a back door and walked into Ms. Meza’s bedroom. Alamillo shot her three times and Mr. Cauich Jr. twice while they lay in bed. Alamillo’s 2-year-old daughter was asleep between the two victims when they were killed.

Immediately after the murders, Alamillo fled the country. He was indicted in 1994 on two counts of murder but would not be arrested until November 2015, after being located in Mexico. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation worked closely with the FBI to bring Alamillo back to Ventura County to stand trial. Alamillo was extradited to the United States in July 2016 to stand trial.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, was the prosecutor assigned to the case.

“I am so happy for Adriana’s and Armando’s families,” Barrick said. “For almost 30 years, they have lived with the pain and burden of knowing that the man who murdered their loved ones had eluded justice. That all ended today. I hope the jury’s guilty verdicts can bring these strong, amazing families some small measure of peace.”

Alamillo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 47 in Ventura County Superior Court.

On April 26, 2023, Alex Alvarado (DOB 06/11/91), of Simi Valley, pled guilty to one felony count of selling fentanyl, in violation of Health and Safety Code 11352(a). Alvarado also admitted to the special allegations that he served a prior term in prison or county jail, and that he was on probation or parole when the crime was committed.

In September 2022, Simi Valley Police Department narcotics detectives received information that Alvarado was selling fentanyl. After a thorough investigation, Alvarado was arrested for multiple sales of fentanyl. Detectives executed a search warrant at Alvarado’s residence, locating both fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive and often deadly synthetic drug. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is one of the most common drugs associated with overdose deaths in the United States.

In 2022, the Ventura County Medical Examiner reported 278 overdose deaths. Fentanyl was found in the system of 181 of the overdose victims. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will seek to aggressively prosecute those that sell, furnish, or distribute fentanyl.

“It is through diligent detective work and collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office that cases such as this are successfully prosecuted,” said Deputy District Attorney Ethel Hernandez, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Unit. “Of great importance is the Dangerous Drug Advisement that is given in fentanyl cases where the defendant must acknowledge that the substance poses a high risk of death and that they could be charged with murder if they again sell fentanyl resulting in death.”

The public is urged to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl, how to find resources for people struggling with addiction, and where to get overdose rescue kits. This information can be found at www.venturacountyresponds.org.

Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

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.