News Releases

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Virgil Toader Negru (DOB 10/13/82), of Romania, was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 240 days jail and two years felony probation. Negru previously pled guilty on June 6, 2023, to one count of felony identity theft and one count of forgery related to card skimming government fraud schemes.

Since March 2023, Negru and seven other Romanian skimming suspects have been arrested for skimming crimes tied to Ventura County. Five of the suspects have been linked to one another and are alleged to have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars in EBT CalWORKs money.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko advises Ventura County businesses that the District Attorney’s Office actively investigates and prosecutes instances of worker exploitation, fraud perpetrated against employees, and wage workers’ compensation fraud to protect employees by ensuring all businesses operating in Ventura County provide their employees with the appropriate medical care and benefits.

On June 28, 2023, Jennifer Itzel Perez Velazquez (DOB 01/06/01) and Jesus Manuel Godinez Valadez (12/19/93), both of Oxnard, pled no contest to one count of insurance fraud and were found guilty by the court.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is warning Ventura County residents and visitors about the dangers of illegal fireworks as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July. The use and dangers of illegal fireworks are present in all our communities throughout the county. These illegal fireworks cause fires, injuries to our children, and loud explosions that are stressful to many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In Ventura County, all fireworks are illegal except for those described as “Safe and Sane”, which are only legal in the city of Fillmore. Please be aware that even if you purchase “Safe and Sane” fireworks in Fillmore, it is illegal to use or possess them anywhere in Ventura County outside of Fillmore.
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The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68), of Santa Paula, pled not guilty at arraignment in the Ventura County Superior Court on June 21, 2023. Torres is charged with 25 felony counts, including grand theft and forgery.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Javontay Bess (DOB 03/26/96), of Fresno, was sentenced on June 16, 2023, in Ventura County Superior Court to 15 years 4 months prison. Bess previously pled guilty on April 13, 2023, to felony human trafficking, by causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Taco Bell Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, GCTB LLC, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $85,500. The money covers civil penalties, restitution, and costs to resolve allegations of violating California Civil Code section 1749.5, relating to the redemption of gift cards with a value of less than $10.

On June 12, 2023, a Ventura County jury found Pedro Galindo (DOB 07/30/66), of Simi Valley, guilty of felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor vandalism.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that John Carillo Chavez (DOB 03/04/40), of Lompoc, was convicted on June 9, 2023, by a Ventura County jury of five felony counts of lewd conduct with a child under the age of 14.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation will be hosting a community presentation to share required annual military equipment reports with the public. All Ventura County residents are invited to attend.

The report and corresponding community meeting are part of legislation (Assembly Bill 481) signed by Governor Gavin Newson on September 30, 2021, intended to increase public transparency, and provide government oversite when California law enforcement agencies seek to fund, acquire, and/or use “military equipment.” On May 25, 2022, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the local ordinance tied to AB 481 (VC Ordinance 4603) and approved both agencies’ policies related to military equipment.

The term “military equipment” does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. Most of the equipment possessed by the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office is used by most law enforcement agencies across the country to enhance resident and officer safety.

The Military Equipment Annual Reports for both agencies are available on our websites.

Community Presentation Details:
Date: Thursday June 15, 2023
Where: Camarillo Police Department – 3701 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo, CA 93010
When: 3 p.m.