Contact:   Richard Simon,

               Senior Deputy District Attorney

(805) 654-2649

(805) 340-9195  

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lester Eugene Varnum (DOB: 3/19/86) of Camarillo , was found guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Deyvis Soza. Varnum struck Mr. Soza with his truck after a dispute with him and two other men who worked with Varnum. The incident happened in the early morning of October 28, 2006, on the Camarillo street where Varnum lived. The jury also found true the allegation that Varnum used a deadly weapon, his truck, in the killing.

Varnum was remanded to custody in the Ventura County jail. Sentencing on this matter will take place on September 22, 2009, in division 25, before the Honorable Patricia Murphy. Varnum faces a sentence of 16 years to life in prison.