News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Saul C Nava (DOB 04/30/00), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced to 50 years and 8 months to life in prison. Nava was previously convicted by a jury of nine felony counts including the first-degree murder and torture of his girlfriend, Alisen Takacs-Escobar, and the torture and kidnapping of a previous girlfriend who survived his abuse.

“The sentence imposed reflects the heinous nature of the defendant’s horrific conduct,” senior prosecutor David Russell said. “While nothing will make the victim’s family whole again, this sentence will protect the community from an offender who tortured and abused vulnerable victims.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Angel Martinez (DOB 10/10/1996), of Oxnard, has been charged with seven felony counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one felony count of possession of CSAM with the intent to distribute, and one felony count of possession of CSAM. He pled not guilty at today’s arraignment.

The investigation into Martinez began in July 2024, when members from the District Attorney’s Office Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Unit, who were monitoring a file sharing network, detected CSAM being distributed from an apartment in the City of Oxnard.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Efrain Troncoso (DOB 01/22/02) has been charged for a violent crime spree in Ventura. Troncoso faces a total of 10 felony counts, including three counts of attempted murder, a single count of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery. He is also charged with several special allegations including the infliction of great bodily injury.

Troncoso’s case was set for arraignment on November 26, 2024. No plea was entered, and criminal proceedings were put on hold to determine competency. Troncoso is scheduled to return to court for a mental competency hearing on December 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Jenifer Singh (DOB 11/02/78), formerly of Simi Valley, has been charged with two felony counts of grand theft. On November 20, 2024, a warrant was issued for Singh’s arrest, which remains outstanding at this time.

Based on the investigation, law enforcement believes there are additional unknown victims of Singh’s alleged rental scheme. Anyone with information on Singh’s current location or believes they or someone they know was defrauded by her is encouraged to the Real Estate Fraud Unit at (805) 662-1750.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Lane Braff, Jr., 42, of Thousand Oaks, was arrested this morning on charges of molesting eight children at McKevett Elementary School in Santa Paula. Braff is charged with 17 felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years old and will be arraigned on those charges Monday, November 25, at 1:30 p.m., in courtroom 13 of Ventura County Superior Court.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Kenneth Shenberger (DOB 12/05/61), of Simi Valley, pled guilty on November 14, 2024, to one felony count of workers’ compensation insurance fraud. He was found guilty by the court.

Shenberger is scheduled to be sentenced on February 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court. Felony insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail, a fine of up to $50,000 or double the fraud amount (whichever is greater), or both.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jaylin Edwards (DOB 12/28/96), of Oxnard, was convicted on November 15, 2024, of all charges related to a 2019 shooting that injured two people, including a young girl who was left paralyzed. Edwards was found guilty of attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. All charges are felonies. The jury also found true all special allegations, including causing great bodily injury (GBI) and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing GBI. Edwards also admitted to additional aggravating factors of the crime involving great violence, being armed with and using a weapon, engaging in violent conduct, and that the victims were vulnerable.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is reminding Ventura County residents to be aware of possible price gouging for essential foods, medicines, household necessities, and housing following the Mountain Fire incident.

“Exploiting those affected by the devastating Mountain Fire for financial gain is illegal and will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “I encourage anyone who suspects price gouging to report it to our office immediately so we can undertake a review and investigation.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support a specialized prosecution team that handles alcohol and drug impaired driving cases. The grant program runs through September 2025.

This is the thirteenth year the District Attorney’s Office has received funding from the OTS for a specialized DUI prosecution program. Last year, the DUI Unit filed 2,699 DUI cases, including 119 DUI drug cases and 17 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Tekquan Alexander (DOB 10/06/96), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of three felony counts for beating his young daughter into a vegetative state. Alexander was convicted of torture, assault on a child causing a comatose condition, and corporal injury to a child. The jury and judge also found true all special allegations and aggravating factors, including the victim being vulnerable, Alexander taking advantage of a position of trust, and causing great bodily injury to a child under five.

“Alani faces a future filled with unimaginable challenges due to the defendant’s reprehensible conduct, but today’s verdict holds him accountable and brings a measure of justice to her and to all those profoundly affected by this case,” said Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, who prosecuted the case.