News Releases

On Tuesday, October 10, I joined Ventura County Jewish leaders to publicly condemn the weekend terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli citizens and to express my strong and unequivocal solidarity with the Jewish people during this time of war. I realize how deeply disturbing and upsetting these murders and kidnappings have been to all of us, and I wanted you all to know that the Ventura County District Attorney’s office stands strongly united with Israel.

The intentional, deliberate, and purposeful targeting of civilians—babies, children, women, men, the elderly—was not only an attack on the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, but an assault on all of humanity. We must never remain silent when it happens, for all of us have a moral responsibility to denounce acts of wickedness, violence, and terror. By doing so, we demonstrate our support for a lasting and meaningful peace for Israel and its neighbors, one grounded in justice, mutual respect, tolerance, and common understanding.

Erik Nasarenko
Ventura County District Attorney

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that the three remaining defendants who stole more than $572,000 from the Ventura County Fairgrounds in 2022 have been sentenced. The two actual burglars were sentenced to prison, while their lookout/driver was sentenced to a jail term.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jason Lyle Garner (DOB 10/09/76), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 8 years 8 months prison for three separate felony cases.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Shawn Hernandez (DOB 04/26/92), of Long Beach, was sentenced to 17 years prison. Hernandez was previously convicted by a jury on August 1, 2023, of felony attempted first-degree residential burglary and felony conspiracy to commit first-degree residential burglary. A judge also found true all prior convictions and special allegations.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Daniel Montano (DOB 02/15/94), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 180 days jail, placed on formal probation for two years, and ordered to pay $102,366 in victim restitution. Montano had previously pled guilty on August 2, 2023, to four felony counts of forgery.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on October 6, 2023, Ana Jasmine Vaca-Velazquez (DOB 03/13/86), of Moorpark, pled guilty to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud. Automobile insurance fraud is punishable by up to five years in county jail and a fine up to $50,000, or double the amount of fraud, whichever is greater.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jacob Jamal Steir (DOB 06/19/97), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 27 years prison for his actions in a 2017 shooting that killed Alexis Jean Lopez and injured one other. Steir previously pled guilty on August 10, 2023, to voluntary manslaughter.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Brian Andrew Hynes (DOB 06/12/80), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of one count of felony grand theft after spending money meant for the Oak Heart County Music Festival.
Hynes, the principal owner of the Borderline Bar & Grill, partnered with Westlake Rotary to put on the annual charity music festival in 2020. The festival was canceled due to COVID. Hynes proceeded to misappropriate the refunded deposit for musical acts in the amount of $43,750.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Victor Villanueva Legaria (DOB 06/13/90), of Oxnard, was sentenced to 10 years 8 months prison, the maximum possible sentence. Legaria was previously convicted by a jury on July 20, 2023, of two felony counts of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, and one felony count of lewd acts on a child aged 14 or 15.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on October 2, 2023, Natasha Monique Villegas (DOB 03/19/84), of Oxnard, pled guilty to one count of felony automobile insurance fraud.