News Releases

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Luiz Armando Ayala (DOB 12/01/01), of Oxnard, was sentenced on March 12, 2024, to four years prison for the driving under the influence death of John Sherman Winter. Ayala previously pled guilty on January 16, 2024, to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one misdemeanor count of being an unlicensed driver. He also admitted to special allegations, including that he fled the scene of the crime, and that the crime involved great violence.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Armando Gutierrez (DOB 11/06/75), of El Monte, has been charged with four felony counts and two misdemeanors related to a vehicle pursuit through parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The charges include assault with a deadly weapon, evading an officer, unlawful taking of a vehicle, receiving stolen property, driving under the influence of any alcohol or drug, and resisting arrest. Gutierrez is also charged with the special allegations that he has prior strike offenses and prior serious or violent felony convictions.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on March 6, 2024, Keith David McDowell-Satyananda (DOB 10/30/76), of Los Angeles, pled guilty to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one felony count of driving under the influence causing injury. He also admitted to four special allegations, including that he fled the scene of the crime, caused great bodily injury in commission of a felony, and that the crime involved great violence.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on March 5, 2024, Arayveion Edwards (DOB 05/13/97), of Florida, pled guilty to six felony counts, including human trafficking, pimping and possession of an unregistered loaded firearm and high-capacity magazine. He also admitted to the special allegation that the victim was vulnerable.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jameson Paul Johnson (DOB 11/12/82), a transient from Ventura, was convicted by a jury on March 1, 2024, of 13 felony counts for sexual offenses committed against a child. The convictions included six counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child, six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and one count of forcible rape. The jury also found true special allegations connected to various counts, including allegations that the crimes involved great violence, the victim was particularly vulnerable, and Johnson engaged in substantial sexual conduct with the victim.

Today, a judge found true additional special allegations and enhancements during a court trial.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to receive funding through the Violence Against Women Vertical Prosecution Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the application and acceptance of the grant funds.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that serial offender and former fugitive George Randall Akrey (DOB 09/06/85), of Moorpark, was sentenced to 16 years state prison. Akrey was convicted and sentenced in five Ventura County cases involving numerous crimes that occurred from 2014 to 2022. Akrey was arrested by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on January 4, 2024, after 21 months on the run, when a team of deputies captured him in Woodland Hills.

VENTURA, Calif. – The District Attorney’s Office is warning Ventura County residents about emerging trends in fraud schemes that coincide with fast-moving technological advances. Several trends include synthetic identity theft, deepfakes, account fraud takeover, cryptocurrency scams, and insider threats. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) says 2024 is on pace to be another busy year when combating emerging fraud trends. Having knowledge about these new scams and frauds can be your best defense from becoming a victim.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Quest Diagnostics, Inc., a national Fortune 500 diagnostic testing company, settled a multi-jurisdictional civil lawsuit involving the offices of California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the District Attorneys of Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Ventura, and Yolo Counties. The lawsuit resolved allegations that Quest Diagnostics engaged in unlawful business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code 17200. The corporation unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at its facilities statewide, in violation of the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, and civil laws prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure of personal health information.

VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that, after an 18-day trial, Erick Estrada (DOB 08/31/88) was convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Gabriel Gutierrez. Estrada was also convicted for the attempted murder and assault with a firearm of both Michael Owens and Thomas Bakkila. Special allegations related to the murder conviction, the attempted murder convictions, and the assault with a firearm convictions were also found true. Regarding the murder of Mr. Gutierrez, the special allegations that Estrada committed the murder while lying in wait, and that he intentionally discharged a firearm were found to be true. Aggravating factors that the crime involved great violence and that Estrada used a weapon were also found to be true.