District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Nitun “Nate” Dayalghai Ahir (DOB 6/17/1981) was arraigned on March 28, 2025, on a felony complaint for the crimes of unlicensed practice of medicine, fraudulent use of the terms “doctor” or “physician,” theft from an elder or dependent adult by a caretaker, and identity theft. Ahir is also charged with several aggravating factors, including that the victim was vulnerable and the defendant took advantage of a position of trust. He pled not guilty to all charges.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Josefino Cayetano Maldonado (DOB 12/13/79), of Salinas, pled guilty on March 25, 2025, to the second-degree murder of Eudelia Gonzalez. Maldonado also admitted to the special allegation that he used a deadly weapon to commit the crime. He is expected to be sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison. Under California law, a conviction for second-degree murder carries a sentence of 15 years to life. Additionally, the special allegation of personally using a deadly weapon increases the sentence by one year.

“My hope is this plea and eventual sentence will help the victim’s family find the long-awaited closure they have been patiently waiting for,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Tom Steele, who prosecuted the case.

Maldonado is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. in courtroom 48 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Micah Lanere Smith (DOB 01/14/78), of Calabasas, was sentenced to 63 years to life in state prison. He was previously convicted by a jury on January 24, 2025, of molestation against two underage victims.

“The victims suffered years of abuse during their childhoods. The defendant, entrusted with their care, instead betrayed them through physical and sexual abuse,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Edward “Ted” Andrews said. “The jury recognized their suffering and held the defendant accountable, and the court has sentenced him to life.”

Accused drug dealer Rodney Rey Yanez (DOB 03/11/69), of Oxnard, has been held to answer for the second-degree murder of Dylan Rusch. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Diana Aizman made the decision today after a four-day preliminary hearing. At the hearing, 16 witnesses were called including a firefighter paramedic and several law enforcement narcotics experts.

“This case marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to hold drug dealers accountable for the deadly consequences of fentanyl,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from this poison and pursue justice for victims and their families.”

This is Ventura County’s first fentanyl-related murder prosecution, charging a defendant who allegedly sold the deadly drug to a victim who fatally overdosed. Yanez is also charged with an additional nine felonies and four misdemeanors related to his alleged drug possession and sale activity.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Matthew Rey Scott (DOB 02/07/85) was convicted by a jury of two felony counts of first-degree residential burglary, and one misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer. The jury also found true the special allegations that Scott committed a violent felony when he entered the home with the residents present.

Scott admitted to several special allegations regarding his strike priors, making him eligible to be sentenced to life in prison for a third strike.