News Releases

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Tina Torres (DOB 11/06/68), of Santa Paula, was sentenced to 365 days in Ventura County Jail, two years felony probation, and ordered to repay $354,522.08 in restitution. A 6-year 8-month state prison sentence was suspended and will be imposed if Torres violates any terms of probation or fails to report to jail. She previously pled guilty on February 15, 2024, to eight felony counts of grand theft, forgery, and grand theft by embezzlement. Torres also admitted to special allegations and aggravating factors on each count, which included an excessive loss of over $100,000 and taking advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the crime.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Daniel Naumann    (DOB 12/24/57), of Camarillo, pled guilty to one felony count of grand theft of water. Naumann owns and operates Naumann Family Farms, in Oxnard, and is a publicly-elected board member of the United Water Conservation District (United). He was also an alternate board member of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (Fox Canyon).

“Stealing water is a serious crime,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This felony conviction holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and sends a clear message that evading fees and illegally diverting water will result in criminal consequences.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Anthony Arnold (DOB 07/19/71), of Simi Valley, was convicted by a jury of one felony count of stalking, one felony count of extortion by threatening letter, and three misdemeanor counts of distributing private intimate photos.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that David Howard Syner (DOB 08/01/61), of Whittier, was sentenced to 7 years 8 months in state prison and ordered to pay $987,250 plus interest for stealing more than $1 million from a Thousand Oaks doctor. He previously pled guilty on June 22, 2023, to 13 counts of grand theft and admitted he stole more than $500,000.

“This case emphasizes the need to verify and supervise when allowing another person to access your financial records, regardless of your relationship,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise said. “No matter how smart you are, you can become a victim when you trust but don’t verify.”

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Connor Joseph Kerns (DOB 07/31/02), of Thousand Oaks, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, to 19 years state prison for violent sex crimes against two minors that he sexually extorted online. Kerns previously pled guilty on February 2, 2024, to three felony charges including forcible rape, and forcible oral copulation on a minor over 14. The third count involved forcible sexual acts on a minor under 14 years old.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Quinn (DOB 09/22/75), of Ventura, was sentenced on March 20, 2024, to 5 years 8 months felony jail. The court imposed 613 days of that time in custody and the remainder will be served on mandatory supervision. Quinn was previously convicted by a jury on December 26, 2023, of felony possession of fentanyl for sale and felony possession of methamphetamine for sale. The jury also found Quinn guilty of driving on a suspended or revoked license. The court found the special allegation that he was on probation when the crime was committed to be true.

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.