News Releases

On April 7, 2023, Karapet Gasparyan (DOB 06/23/81), and Grigor Gasparyan (DOB 09/07/01), both of North Hollywood, were sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 300 days in Ventura County Jail and two years felony probation. The judge also imposed a four-year state prison suspended sentence on both men. The Gasparyans previously pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit a crime and three counts of grand theft. The guilty pleas included special allegations, including committing two or more related felonies resulting in a loss of more than $100,000.

On August 6, 2020, a witness called 911 to report suspicious activity at a Bank of America ATM in Thousand Oaks. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded and conducted a traffic stop. Karapet Gasparyan and Grigor Gasparyan were found to have 200 fraudulent Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance cards and more than $168,000 cash inside the vehicle. Further investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the EDD and Bank of America revealed the Gasparyans had obtained an additional $199,000 in unemployment insurance benefits from ATM withdrawals at locations in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties between July 2020 and August 2020.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case. Full restitution of $367,000 was recovered from the Gasparyans.

“During COVID, organized groups participated in one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated against the People of California,” said prosecutor Wise referring to EDD fraud. “Holding all participants accountable for unemployment insurance fraud is crucial to deterring the next big fraud.”

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is warning the public about deceptive letters recently sent to residents. The letters threaten property owners with potential asset levies and/or property seizure. The letters attempt to create a sense of urgency and they include an (800) number to call. Examples of these deceptive correspondence letters are attached to this news release.

Ventura County property owners are reminded that if they have a question on the status of their property taxes, they should contact the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Legitimate letters from the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector will have a local address and a local telephone number. Residents may call the Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector at (805) 654-3744 or send an email to helpinghand@ventura.org.

If taxpayers have a question on the status of their state or federal tax liability, they should contact the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or their tax professional. “Unsolicited materials received in the mail are often marketing materials deceptively designed to cause the property owner to become concerned and call the number listed on the mailer,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum.

In addition to deceptive mail solicitors, county residents are urged to be aware of scammers that seek victims through text messages, emails, and phone calls. These scammers use similar tactics:
• They often pretend to be government officials or legitimate businesses.
• They create a sense of urgency to get victims to respond quickly.
• They often demand immediate payment.
• They demand payment with pre-paid cards.
• They ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• They threaten arrest if immediate payment isn’t made.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has several specialized units that investigate fraud. When appropriate, the Consumer Protection Unit will investigate consumer complaints. Any inquiries or referrals about potential violations of consumer laws can be made by calling (805) 662-1750.

On April 4, 2023, Randall Graham (DOB 03/07/78), of Goleta, pled guilty in Ventura County Superior Court to making criminal threats against the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Graham also admitted the special allegation of threatening great bodily harm.

The threats against Conejo Unified were made on October 13, 2022. Graham, upset with school district policies, called the district office and left two voicemails threatening to kill the superintendent and others in the superintendent’s office. He was arrested on October 15, 2022, by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office after an investigation by the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Brandon Yeaton, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Serious and Violent Felonies unit, prosecuted the case.

Graham is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is working to raise awareness about sexual violence.

Sexual assault is a pervasive and deeply harmful crime that affects individuals and communities across our country. In fact, every 68 seconds someone is the United States is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

“In Ventura County, we are fortunate to have the Family Justice Center that can be a resource for victims of sexual assault,” said Victim and Community Services Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Jump. “The Ventura County Family Justice Center is staffed by District Attorney victim advocates, partners like Coalition for Family Harmony, Interface Children & Family Services, Ventura County Health Care Agency and many other governmental and nonprofit partners. The Family Justice Center assists victims of sexual assault with a free medical exam, assistance obtaining a restraining order, updates about the status of an investigation and accessing other local and state resources to help survivors recover and heal.”

The Ventura County Family Justice Center (VCFJC) brings together the services of multiple community agencies to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, human trafficking and hate crimes. The purpose of the center is to help save lives, reduce trauma, and empower survivors as they recover, heal, and break the cycle of abuse.

For more information, victims of sexual assault can reach the VCFJC at (805) 652-7655 or visit the center at 3170 Loma Vista Road in Ventura. The VCFJC sees clients on a first come, first served basis and is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please visit www.vcfjc.org if you or someone you know has suffered a sexual assault.

The Ventura County Family Justice Center and District Attorney’s Office social media accounts will share educational information and resources throughout the month. For more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the efforts to end sexual violence please visit nsvrc.org.

VENTURA, Calif. – On April 3, 2023, Raymond Giral (DOB 04/21/67) was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court to 12 years prison. Giral had previously been convicted by a Ventura County jury on March 3, 2023, of four counts of a lewd act upon a child. The convictions included aggravating circumstances that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that Giral took advantage of a position of trust. The jury also found true the special allegation that Giral had substantial sexual conduct with the victim.

The crimes occurred at multiple locations in Ventura County between 2007 and 2012. The victim came forward in 2018 after learning that Giral had been arrested for a separate sex crime in Colorado. Giral is currently serving an eight-year prison term in Colorado.

Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Moreno, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.

“I am proud of the victim for having the courage to confront her abuser and tell her story at trial,” said Moreno. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that child sexual abusers will not go unpunished in Ventura County.”

On March 24, 2023, a Ventura County jury convicted Jesus Zavala Castaneda (DOB 05/24/60), of Oxnard, on two counts of lewd touching of a minor under 14 years old. The jury also found all aggravating factors related to each count to be true.

Castaneda sexually exploited an underage family member between 2018 and 2019. The conduct stopped in June 2019 when the 13-year-old victim reported the abuse. Following a two-week trial that included courageous testimony from the victim, her peers, her mother, as well as a senior detective, teacher, and expert on child abuse, a jury convicted Castaneda of two felony violations.

“I was struck by the courage of the victim and the strength of her mother,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit. “For adolescents reporting sexual abuse, good parental support is the most vital tool for navigating the shame and blame an offender can leave behind.”

Castaneda will be sentenced on April 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Today, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced the conviction of David Flores (DOB 10/12/97), of Oxnard, for the murders of Aaron Austin and Eduardo Viveros in 2017. The jury found Flores guilty of two counts of murder in the first-degree, and three counts of robbery in the second-degree. All special allegations, including gun enhancements, were found to be true.

On May 16, 2017, Flores and two accomplices, who previously pled guilty, were responsible for the shooting deaths of Aaron Austin and Eduardo Viveros. Mr. Austin was shot four times and found in front of an apartment complex on North G Street in Oxnard. He was pronounced dead at the Ventura County Medical Center. Mr. Viveros suffered from three gunshot wounds and died on Perkins Road in Oxnard. The shootings were separated by less than 30 minutes. Flores and the two accomplices also robbed three additional victims at gunpoint.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide Unit, handled the prosecution of this case.

“The jury should be very proud of their verdicts,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick. “David Flores is a frightening and dangerous man. This jury saved lives with their guilty verdicts. There is no doubt in my mind that if David Flores were to ever get out of prison, he would kill again.”

Flores will be sentenced on April 19, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 47 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko testified before the California Senate Committee on Public Safety today in support of California Senate Bill 442.

Senate Bill 442 seeks to amend Section 243.4 of the Penal Code, relating to sexual battery. This amendment would expand the criminal definition of sexual battery and close a gap that currently exists.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Paul Steven Ramos (DOB 11/15/90), of Santa Paula, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Paul Carrillo.

Ramos, a known gang member, is the second suspect now facing charges for the December 5, 2022, murder.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that commercial burglary charges have been filed against two men who recently stole from the Apple Store in Thousand Oaks.