May
2, 2008 -District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Lewis
(DOB 01/21/75) was convicted by a jury for the gang-related,
May 12, 2006, first-degree murder of Oxnard resident Fred
Williams. The jury also found true the special allegation
that Lewis was a principal in an offense that was committed
with a firearm. The jury also found true the special circumstances
that the murder was intentionally committed to promote, further,
and assist the Black Mafia; and that the murder was committed
for financial gain.
April
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Don't Borrow
Trouble® Ventura County will be presenting a CreditSmart
Workshop. The workshop, which is open to the public is being
offered free of charge, and is designed to help potential
homeowners and borrowers learn about the following: Establishing
and maintaining good credit, financial goal setting, understanding
credit scoring, avoiding credit traps and restoring your credit
score.
April
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Amy Flores
(DOB 07/28/78), a resident of Fillmore, was arrested pursuant
to a felony warrant for welfare fraud, housing assistance
fraud and social security fraud.
April
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jason Rimmer
(DOB 06/07/70) of San Mateo was sentenced by Judge Bruce Clark
to two years in state prison for embezzling more than $300,000
from Amgen, Inc. of Thousand Oaks .
April
24, 2008 -District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura
County District Attorney's Office has partnered with Community
West Bank to help educate the public on the various ways to
guard against becoming a victim of identity theft.
April
18, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Grand
Jury has indicted Shari Nicole Lopez (DOB 3/18/85) in connection
with a conspiracy to burglarize Camarillo residences between
November 27, 2007, and December 19, 2007.
April
17, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Grand
Jury has indicted Antonio Cervantes (DOB. 8/17/85), Joy Cox
(DOB 3/19/58), Manuel Elwell (DOB 4/28/89), and Ricardo Rodriguez
(DOB 7/15/88) in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize
Camarillo residences between November 27, 2007, and December
19, 2007.
April
17, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Samuel Kaller
(DOB: 11/13/59) of Thousand Oaks , has been charged with felony
elder endangerment and delaying and resisting police officers.
April
15, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Court
of Appeal upheld the gang injunction against the Southside
Chiques.
April
15, 2008 -
District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Toni
Radys (DOB: 6/10/52) of Moorpark, has pled guilty to insurance
fraud, grand theft, mental abuse and financial elder abuse
with a special allegation of a loss over $150,000. Radys committed
the crimes against her mother.
April
11, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that April 13 -19,
2008, is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. During this
week, crime victims, service providers, criminal and juvenile
justice and other professionals, and community volunteers
will join together to recognize the needs and rights of crime
victims.
March
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Yair Romo
Hernandez (DOB 12/3/81) of Thousand Oaks pleaded guilty to
one count of felony auto insurance fraud. Hernandez will be
sentenced on April 21, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., in courtroom 12,
by Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark.
March
17, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Connie Ayala
(DOB 11/24/44), a resident of Fillmore, was sentenced to serve
180 days in the Ventura County jail following her guilty plea
for public housing assistance fraud. The District Attorney's
Government Fraud Unit obtained the conviction following an
extensive investigation into allegations of Section 8 housing
assistance fraud.
March
14, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Aubulghasem
Ahmadpour, (DOB 8/28/49), a resident of Simi Valley, was convicted
by jury trial of seven felony counts of filing forged instruments,
and passing forged instruments with an intent to defraud,
by Ventura County Superior Court Judge James P. Cloninger.
March
11, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District
Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Denny Cuellar
(DOB 03/26/67) and Edgar Alva Marin (DOB 08/19/82). Cuellar
and Marin, residents of Los Angeles , pleaded guilty to possessing
counterfeit iPods with intent to sell them.
March
11, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Yvette Macias
(DOB 07/11/69) was sentenced to state prison for her role
in an identity theft operation. Macias, a former resident
of Port Hueneme , was convicted of three counts of felony
identity theft, three counts of possessing checks with fraudulent
intent, and one count of grand theft.
March
6, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Yair Romo
Hernandez (DOB 12/3/81) of Thousand Oaks was arrested and
charged with felony auto insurance fraud. Hernandez was arraigned
yesterday and entered a not guilty plea. He was arrested Tuesday
by detectives from the California Highway Patrol.
March
4, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a
civil case against PipelineZ, LLC and Tom Tom Text, LLC, stemming
from a series of seminars the companies held to market their
products.
March
4, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on February
29, 2008, Joshua Werkman (DOB 7/19/74), pled no contest to
one misdemeanor count of child annoyance/molesting and one
misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to an underage person.
February
27, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a
civil case against the Oxnard School District, Martinez Architects,
Inc., and G-2000 Construction, Inc., stemming from a 2004
release of asbestos during remodeling at the Rose Avenue Elementary
School in Oxnard .
February
21, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the grand
jury has indicted Lino Hernandez (D.O.B 12/29/82), Alvino
Hernandez (D.O.B. 4/1/80) and Alejandro Salas (D.O.B. 8/9/82)
for the September 4, 2006, murder of Octavio Lopez and the
attempted murder of Abraham Lopez, Richard Gonzalez and Michelle
White
February
15, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ian Morrow
(DOB 3/14/69) was arrested on four outstanding arrest warrants
on multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon, possession
of illegal weapons, being an ex-felon in possession of weapons,
criminal threats, and being a member of a criminal street
gang.
February
14, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Glen
Snader (DOB 12/18/84) of Camarillo has been charged with felony
auto insurance fraud. Snader is scheduled to be arraigned
February 15, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. in courtoom 12 of the Ventura
County Superior Court.
February
11, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that Ronald Berlinsky
(DOB 12/25/49) of Westlake, California, pled guilty to one
count of felony auto insurance fraud.
January
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Felix Lee
Dua, Jr. (DOB 10/04/84), of Corona, has been sentenced to
serve 180 days in jail after being caught in an Internet sting
operated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Dua was
convicted of felony Internet child luring.
January
24, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that Judge Edward
Brodie sentenced Rudolfo Sandoval (DOB 02/26/1987), a.k.a.
"Menace," a Ventura Avenue Gangster, to life in prison without
the possibility of parole for the murder of Ryan Jason Briner.
January
23, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jesenia Sosa
(DOB 8/2/73), a resident of Ventura, was sentenced to serve
150 days in the Ventura County jail following her guilty plea
for housing assistance fraud. The District Attorney's Government
Fraud Unit obtained the conviction following a six-month investigation
into allegations of housing and welfare fraud.
January
16, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Norma Fonseca
(DOB 12/16/63) and Salvador Rosas Castillo (DOB 6/17/72),
both of Oxnard , have been charged with felony auto insurance
fraud.
January
15, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jason Bucy
(DOB 03/12/74), of Thousand Oaks, has been sentenced to serve
365 days in jail after being caught in an Internet sting operated
by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Bucy was convicted
of internet child luring, attempted dissemination of matter
harmful to a minor, and possession of child pornography.
January
14, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion
of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding
the July 1, 2006, fatal shooting of Edward Medina by Officer
Michael Purdy of the Oxnard Police Department.
January
11, 2008 -District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Daniel Damien
Martinez (DOB 10/17/84) of Oxnard, was sentenced by Ventura
County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Riley to life in prison
without the possibility of parole, plus an additional six
years for the attempted rape and murder of 25-year-old Lorena
Gonzalez of Oxnard, the assault on 30-year-old Alfred Leon
of Ventura, and the premeditated attempted murder of 25-year-old
Luis Rios of Santa Paula.
January
11, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that a final judgment
and permanent injunction has been obtained in a civil environmental
protection case against Vintage Production, LLC and Occidental
Oil and Gas Holding Corporation. Vintage is a Delaware corporation
which owns and operates several crude oil and natural gas
producing properties in Ventura County .
January
10, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that Maria G. Carranza
(DOB 12/12/56) of Newark, California, pled guilty to
one count of felony auto insurance fraud. The case stems
from an automobile accident on May 29, 2006, that involved
Carranza.
January
7, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ruby Elizabeth
Stirling (DOB 1/28/69), a resident of Simi Valley, was arrested
pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud, identity theft,
and committing a new felony offense while released on bail.
January
7, 2008 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion
of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding
the November 14, 2006, fatal shooting of Adrian Canley by
Senior Deputy Shane Matthews of the Ventura County Sheriff's
Department.
December
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a civil complaint
has been filed against Quest Home Loans, Inc., dba Quest Mortgage
('Quest'), and its owner/broker, Oscar Vasquez (DOB: 11/30/71),
of Oxnard. Quest specializes in sub-prime home loans to members
of the Spanish-speaking community.
December
14, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lidia Salazar
(DOB 08/03/67) was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court
Judge Bruce A. Clark to four months in the Ventura County
jail following Salazar's conviction for workers compensation
insurance fraud.
December
4, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the sentencing of
Christopher Strauch (DOB 1/31/89) of Port Hueneme . Strauch
pled guilty to one count of PC 459 second degree commercial
burglary and was sentenced to 180 days in the Ventura County
jail.
December
4, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the arraignment of
Kenneth Morton (DOB 1/3/57) of Oxnard . Morton is charged
with two counts of violating PC 368(b)(1) elder abuse, a great
bodily injury enhancement under PC 368(a)(2), and one count
of violating PC 597(b) animal cruelty. Bail is set at $100,000.
December
3, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Randi Lynn
Deason (D.O.B. 11/13/74), a resident of Ojai, was sentenced
to serve 150 days in jail and placed on felony probation for
48 months. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie
sentenced Deason after she was convicted of one count of felony
grand theft and one count of forgery relating to her embezzlement
from Washington Mutual Bank in Ojai.
December
3, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ventura County
Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark has sentenced Tomer Rotholz
(DOB 11/4/63) to two years in prison, for his participation
in a workers' compensation fraud scheme.
November
16, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Teresa Arias
(DOB 10/03/73), a resident of Oxnard , was arrested pursuant
to a felony arrest warrant for welfare fraud. The arrest took
place in Oxnard and was the result of an extensive investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud
Unit into allegations of welfare fraud.
November
16, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Joseph Wally
Kraus aka Jojo Kraus (DOB 06/11/78) has been sentenced to
serve 10 years in state prison for his role in an identity
theft ring that victimized Ventura County for approximately
three years.
November
15, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a
civil case against Catalytic Solutions, Inc. stemming from
its alleged unpermitted treatment of hazardous waste at Catalytic
Solutions, Inc.'s Oxnard manufacturing plant.
November
13, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Francisco
Martinez (DOB 10/4/65), of Ventura , was sentenced by Ventura
County Superior Court Judge Edward F. Brodie to life in prison
without the possibility of parole for his participation in
the murder of Manuel Campos (DOB 10/15/38) of Oxnard .
November
7, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction
of Carl Lee Beckel (DOB 08/27/48), a resident of Ventura .
Beckel pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft and admitted
to taking more than $50,000.
October
18, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Sheryl Ann
Connelly (DOB12-19-59) and James Joseph Connelly (DOB 12-21-52)
were arrested on one count of felony grand theft and one count
of public assistance fraud after a lengthy investigation by
the Ventura County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation
- Government Fraud Unit.
October
17, 2007
- District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that
the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction
of Ellen Prince (DOB 03/09/66). Prince, a resident of Port
Hueneme , pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft and
possession of a blank check with intent to defraud.
October
9, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura
County District Attorney's Office has partnered with Community
West Bank to help educate the public on the various ways to
guard against becoming a victim of identity theft.
October
5, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury found
Santiago Trevizo (12/5/48) guilty of six counts of violating
Penal Code section 288(a), lewd act upon a child, against
three different victims. The charges stemmed from the years
2000/2001 as to two victims and 2004/2005 for the third victim
.
October
5, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the month
of October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, community leaders,
law enforcement, judges, advocates, and concerned citizens
are working together
October
1, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that Rodney Gibson
Sr. (DOB 7/13/1945) of Henderson , Nevada , and his son, Rodney
Gibson II (DOB 6/2/1970) of Oxnard , California , were charged
with one count of conspiracy to commit auto insurance fraud
and two counts of auto insurance fraud.
September
28, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District
Attorney's Office obtained the conviction of Joseph Wally
Kraus aka Jojo Kraus (DOB 06-11-78). Kraus, a resident of
Port Hueneme, pled guilty to 17 felonies, including seven
counts of identity theft, four counts of receiving stolen
property, two counts of possession of a blank check with fraudulent
intent, and one count each of forging a California driver's
license, forging a government identification, possession of
a completed check with fraudulent intent, and possession of
a computer used to make counterfeit money.
September
28, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on September
25 and 26, 2007, a combined law enforcement team, composed
of investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney's
Bureau of Investigation, the Contractors State License Board
(CSLB), and the City of San Buenaventura conducted a "sting"
operation against illegal contractors operating in Ventura
County.
September
21, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jed Knudsen
(DOB 12/14/1968), a resident of West Valley, Utah; Shaun Mitchell
(DOB 04/14/1971), a resident of Taylorsville, Utah; Eric Larson
(DOB 09/12/1979), a resident of Wellsville, Utah; Harold Haase
(DOB 05/24/1947), a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; and
John Neal (DOB 10/24/1971), a resident of Salt Lake City,
Utah, were arrested in Simi Valley by the District Attorney's
Office - Bureau of Investigation for felony violations of
California Civil Code section 1812.217, a section of the California
Seller- Assisted Marketing Plan (SAMP) Act. Bail for each
was set at $10,000.
September
21, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the guilty plea
of Denise Cabrera (DOB 2/16/79) of Oxnard . Cabrera pled guilty
on September 20, 2007, to one felony count of theft from an
elder and four felony counts of fraudulent use of an access
card.
September
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Tomer Rotholz
(DOB 11/4/63), Yosef Khatib (DOB 10/30/69) and the corporations
run by them, Tapuz Enterprises, Inc. and Nativ Engineering,
Inc., respectively, each pled guilty to one felony count of
insurance fraud.
September
19, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jason Rimmer
(DOB 06-07-70) of San Mateo and Robert Troy Nipar (DOB 08-13-63)
of Simi Valley each pleaded guilty to one count of felony
grand theft in connection with a fraudulent billing scheme
involving Amgen, Inc. of Thousand Oaks .
September
12, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District
Attorney's Office obtained the conviction of Richard Aluise
(DOB 08/31/72), a resident of Newbury Park . Aluise pled guilty
to one count of felony distribution of child pornography and
one count of possession of child pornography. This matter
was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department
and the Southern California High Tech Task Force.
September
6, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today a warning to Ventura
County residents that an unlicensed paving company may be
operating in Ventura County. The company includes nearly a
dozen men who previously operated for about a month in Nevada
and scammed dozens of residents and businesses in that state.
September
5, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Glenn Gerard
Calkins (DOB 08/15/50), a resident of Simi Valley , was sentenced
to serve 180 days in jail for possessing child pornography.
Calkins was convicted of one count of felony possession of
child pornography. This matter was investigated by the Ventura
County Sheriff's Department and the Southern California High
Tech Task Force.
August
30, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the arrest and arraignment
of Kui T. Li (DOB 5/29/1981), of Goleta , by the District
Attorney's Bureau of Investigation. Li is charged with two
counts of auto insurance fraud.
August
29, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Adelina Magana
(DOB 1/7/88) of Oxnard, was sentenced Tuesday August 28, 2007,
by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Riley to 3
years probation and credit for time served of 507 days for
her participation in the murder of her step father, Manuel
Campos of Oxnard.
August
28, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges
have been filed against Paul Carillo (DOB 1/28/88), of Ventura
, Manuel Rodriguez (DOB 2/20/88), of Santa Paula , and Miguel
Gonzalez (DOB 5/24/87), of Santa Paula , for the killing of
Edgar Flores (DOB 11/25/79) on August 24, 2007.
August
8, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ross Wollschlager,
previously determined to be a sexually violent predator, has
been ordered released into Ventura County no later than August
14, 2007, by the California Court of Appeal.
August
7, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Division, in conjunction with
the California Attorney General's Consumer Law Section, has
filed a joint civil unlawful business practices action against
IMERGENT, INC. ("Imergent"), and STORESONLINE, INC. ("StoresOnline"),
both headquartered in Orem , Utah .
July
31, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Estella Magana
(DOB 1/20/54) of Oxnard , was sentenced by Ventura County
Superior Court Judge Herbert Curtis to life in prison without
the possibility of parole for her participation in the murder
of her husband, Manuel Campos (DOB 10/15/38) of Oxnard .
July
27, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Rosalinda
Robles (DOB 07/10/67), a former resident of Ventura, was arrested
by investigators from the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation
pursuant to a felony arrest warrant for grand theft.
July
25, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arraignment
of Angela Daily (DOB 9/3/79), a resident of Ventura .
Daily was charged with three counts of auto insurance fraud.
July
23, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arraignment
of Jose Antonio Mosqueda (DOB 1/8/1989), a resident of Ventura,
California . Defendant Mosqueda was charged with one felony
count of animal cruelty, a violation of section 597(a) of
the Penal Code.
July
23, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that he has received
an opinion from the Attorney General of California regarding
the right of school employees to address school board meetings.
July
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District
Attorney's Office obtained the conviction of Glenn Gerard
Calkins (DOB 08/15/50), a resident of Simi Valley . Calkins
pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
July
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Sarah Ann
Garcia (DOB 06/05/78), a former resident of Ventura, was arrested
by investigators from the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation
pursuant to a felony arrest warrant for grand theft. The arrest
took place in Oxnard and was the result of a two-month investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud
Unit with the cooperation of the City of Ventura Housing Authority
and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Office of Inspector General.
July
13, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his office
has concluded its inquiry and review of the expenditures by
the Channel Islands Beach Community Service District (CIBCSD).
June
27, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that Judge James
Cloninger sentenced Javier Carriedo Acevedo (DOB 1-13-84),
a.k.a. "Listo," a Ventura Avenue gangster, to life in prison
without the possibility of parole for the murder of Ryan Jason
Briner.
June
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arraignment
of Juliana Ramirez (DOB 3/1/1988) of Carpinteria. Defendant
Ramirez is charged with three felony counts of auto insurance
fraud and one misdemeanor count of obstructing a police officer
in the course of his investigation.
June
20, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of a
criminal complaint against Jason Rimmer (06-07-70) of San
Mateo and Robert Troy Nipar (08-13-63) of Simi Valley . Rimmer
and Nipar are each charged with one count of grand theft and
one count of criminal conspiracy in connection with a fraudulent
billing scheme involving Amgen, Inc. of Thousand Oaks .
June
15, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Andrew Sean
Korotzer (D.O.B. 09/07/66), a resident of Moorpark, was sentenced
to serve 180 days in jail and placed on felony probation for
60 months. Judge Bruce Clark sentenced Korotzer after Korotzer
was convicted of one count of grand theft and one count of
identity theft relating to his scheme to defraud the Prudential
Life Insurance Company into paying him commissions that he
had not earned.
June
11, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a
civil environmental protection and unlawful business practices
action against Aera Energy LLC ("Aera"), of Bakersfield ,
and Baker Petrolite Corporation ("Baker"), of Houston.
June
8, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Louise K.
Steele, also known as Louise Whittaker (DOB 09/17/65), a former
resident of Simi Valley and Oxnard, has been sentenced to
serve five years and four months in state prison. Steele was
convicted of 10 counts of felony grand theft and admitted
to stealing $304,663 from Bennett Construction.
June
6, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Jessica Diane Stubblefield
(DOB 05-28-68) of Camarillo pled "no contest" to embezzling
nearly $3,000 from a foundation she formed for a cancer-stricken
child. When the 7-year-old child was diagnosed with a brain
tumor in 2005, Stubblefield solicited funds from friends,
neighbors, co-workers, and the general public under the pretext
that she had formed the "Tommy for Life Foundation."
June
4, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today Ashley Marie Ponce,
a resident of Oxnard (DOB: 03/17/1982) pled no contest to
seven counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for her
role in the seven person traffic fatality on State Route 118
near Moorpark.
June
1, 2007 -
District Attorney
Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Proctor Mark
was sentenced to 18 years in state prison by Ventura County
Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee. Mark was convicted on March
14, 2007, of gross negligence vehicular manslaughter while
driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of the collision
which resulted in the death of 19-month-old Alex Hurd. He
had a prior conviction for driving under the influence and
for first degree burglary.
May
31, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that District Attorney
investigators arrested Bette Jones (DOB10-27-65) on one county
of felony grand theft. Bette Jones was the former program
administrator for the Medical Staff Office of the Ventura
County Medical Center . While in that position, Jones embezzled
approximately $33,086, over a five-month period, from the
physician's Medical Staff Fund account.
May
22, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jesenia Sosa
(D.O.B. 8/2/73), a resident of Ventura, was arrested by the
District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a
felony arrest warrant for grand theft and welfare fraud. The
arrest took place in Ventura and was the result of a six-month
investigation conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government
Fraud Unit into allegations of housing and welfare fraud.
The investigation revealed Sosa received $18,121 in public
assistance funds for which she was not legally eligible.
May
21, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Estella Magana (DOB 1/20/54) of Oxnard,
was convicted by a jury of First Degree Murder with two special
circumstances, Lying in Wait and Financial Gain, for the killing
of Manuel Campos (DOB 10/15/38) of Oxnard.
May
21, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Luis Miguel Rincon Alejandre was sentenced
today to nine years in prison by Ventura County Superior Court
Judge Allan Steele. Alejandre was convicted March 23, 2007,
of felony gross vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run
which resulted in the death of eight-year-old Gerardo Zaragoza
Jr., and driving without a license.
May
10, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Robert James Callahan (DOB 05-10-1982),
a 25-year-old Arleta resident, pled guilty on May 10, 2007,
to a felony charge of child luring. The prosecution of Callahan
followed an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's
Department.
May
9, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Manuel John Perez, Jr. (D.O.B. 03/17/69),
a resident of Oxnard, was arrested by the District Attorney's
Office - Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a felony warrant
for writing and passing account-closed checks totaling $4,352.97.
The arrest took place in Oxnard and was the result of a three-month
investigation conducted by the Non-Sufficient Funds Check
Restitution and Prosecution Unit.
May
4, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's
Office - Bureau of Investigation, Government Fraud Unit, along
with the Ventura Police Department, Street Crimes Unit, and
a state parole agent executed a search warrant in the 300
block of Barnett Street in the city of Ventura.
April
26, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura
County District Attorney's Office has partnered with Community
West Bank to help educate the public on the various ways to
guard against becoming a victim of identity theft.
April
23, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the week of
April 22-28, 2007, is National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
During this week, crime victims, service providers, criminal
justice, juvenile justice and law enforcement professionals,
as well as community volunteers, will join together to recognize
the needs and rights of crime victims across our nation.
April
20, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory Totten announced
today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit
filed and settled a civil consumer protection complaint against
High Tech Pet Products, Inc., ("High Tech") of Ventura and
Nicholas Bonge ("Bonge") (DOB 08/03/1954). High Tech is an
Internet company engaged in the business of advertising and
selling pet products. Bonge is the owner and president of
High Tech.
April
20, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today the conclusion of the District Attorney's
review of the circumstances surrounding the July 9, 2006,
death of Raymond Hopper while being arrested by Ventura County
Sheriff's deputies.
April
19, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Andrew James Schroller (DOB 08/27/58),
a Ventura resident, has been sentenced to 13 years and 8 months
in state prison for his theft of more than $1.1 million from
his former employer, Secorp Industries, Inc.
March
28, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
today announced today that on March 27, 2007, a jury convicted
Javier Carriedo Acevedo, DOB 1/31/84, of first degree murder
for death of Ryan Jason Briner, age 26.
March
28, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that attempted premeditated murder charges
were filed against Matthew Shear, (D.O.B. 11/8/82) for attempting
to kill his girlfriend. The complaint also alleges the defendant
personally inflicted great bodily injury, and that he used
a knife when committing the offense.
March
23, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that a jury found Luis Miguel Rincon Alejandre
guilty of felony gross vehicular manslaughter and felony hit
and run resulting in the death of 8-year-old
Gerardo Zaragoza Jr. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced
on April 20, 2007, in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior
Court. He is facing up to 11 years in state prison.
March
22, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the grand re-opening
of Safe Harbor West at its new location. The center is a coalition
of public and private agencies dedicated to serving child
victims of sexual and physical abuse and adult victims of
sexual assault. The mission of the program is to maintain
a facility that promotes dignity and respect while minimizing
trauma and maximizing criminal prosecution.
March
21, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a felony warrant
was issued for the arrest of Kristian Joylynn Carrillo (D.O.B.
09/23/73), a resident of Ventura, charging Carrillo with one
count of grand theft and three counts of perjury. The criminal
complaint was the culmination of a seven-month investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud
Unit into allegations of housing fraud.
March
15, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Michael
Sellers (DOB 05/05/48), a resident of Santa Paula , was sentenced
to serve 180 days in jail for possessing child pornography.
This matter was investigated by the Oxnard Police Department,
the Santa Paula Police Department, and investigators from
the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation assigned to
the Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF).
March
13, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Robert Parker
Young (DOB 4/5/54) was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Herbert
Curtis to nine years in state prison. In January 2007, before
trial testimony was to begin, Young pled guilty to the charge
of elder abuse/neglect and admitted an enhancement that he
proximately caused the death of a person over the age of 70.
March
13, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Division filed and settled a
civil consumer protection complaint against Pacific First
Bancorp Mortgage Corporation (" Pacific First Bancorp") ,
of Van Nuys, with branch offices at 365 Esplanade Drive, Suite
205 Oxnard , California , and its broker, Federico Jorge Triebel.
Pacific First Bancorp specializes in sub-prime home loans
to members of the Spanish-speaking community.
March
5, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arraignment
of Paula Shaw (DOB 1/12/1968), a resident of Bullhead City,
Arizona . Defendant Shaw was charged with three counts of
auto insurance fraud, two counts of elder abuse, and one count
of filing a false police report.
February
26, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Chad Nichols
(D.O.B. 9/3/1971), pled guilty today to one count of felony
Corporal Injury to Spouse. Nichols is presently a sergeant
for the Port Hueneme Police Department and has been on administrative
leave since March 17, 2006. The victim is the defendant's
wife and mother to his three minor children.
February
26, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a Ventura
County jury has convicted Andrew James Schroller (DOB 08/27/58),
a Ventura resident, of theft, forgery, and tax evasion charges.
The jury deliberated 90 minutes before convicting Schroller
on 17 counts that included corporate embezzlement, grand theft,
eight counts of forgery, six counts of filing false state
tax returns, and one count of failing to file a state tax
return. The jury also found that he embezzled more than $1
million. The matter was investigated by the Ventura Police
Department and the California Franchise Tax Board.
February
26, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on February
14-15, 2007, a combined law enforcement team, composed of
investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney's
Bureau of Investigation, the Contractors State License Board
(CSLB), and the Ventura Police Department conducted a "sting"
operation against illegal contractors operating in Ventura
County . Members of the CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud
Team (SWIFT) posed as homeowners at a house near Ventura 's
Ocean Avenue Park and invited suspected unlicensed contractors
to bid on various home improvement projects that included
landscaping, kitchen remodeling, concrete work, roofing and
painting.
February
22, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit obtained convictions in
two separate cases for misdemeanor contracting without a license,
in violation of the California State Contractors' licensing
law. Convicted were Manuel Martinez (DOB12/30/56), a resident
of Camarillo, and Roy Dale Dickerson (DOB 5/17/51), a resident
of Thousand Oaks. Both cases were the result of investigations
conducted by the California Contractors' State Licensing Board
(CSLB).
February
9, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the grand
jury has indicted Daniel Ramirez (DOB 7/27/80) for the December
9, 2006, murder of Michael Velasquez. Ramirez resides in Port
Hueneme where the murder occurred. The indictment accuses
Ramirez of one count murder with a special allegation of use
of a firearm.
February
8, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that the California Landscape Contractors
Association chose Safe Harbor East in Simi Valley as the recipient
of an "extreme landscape make-over" as part of the organization's
charitable work. The California Landscape Contractors Association
is a non-profit trade organization of licensed landscape and
landscape-related contractors throughout the state of California.
Also included among its approximately 3,200 members are landscape
suppliers, landscape architects, public officials, educators,
and students. Although formally incorporated in 1952, CLCA
has been meeting as an association since 1937.
February
6, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the promotion of
Senior Investigator Glen Kitzmann to the position of deputy
chief investigator. Mr. Kitzmann's law enforcement career
spans more than 28 years, including the last 16 with the District
Attorney's Office.
February
6, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Gail Marie
Bush (DOB 1-24-68), formerly of Thousand Oaks, pled guilty
to felony grand theft of over $10,500 from the Area Housing
Authority of the County of Ventura and to felony perjury.
February
2, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Dolly Ann Leahy (DOB 12-06-63), a former
resident of Moorpark, was sentenced to serve eight years in
state prison for her role in a complex embezzlement from her
former employer, Power One. Leahy was convicted of three felonies,
including one count of corporate embezzlement and two counts
of money laundering. She was also convicted of stealing more
than $500,000 from Power One, and of laundering more than
$150,000 in criminal proceeds. This matter was investigated
by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation with assistance
from the California Franchise Tax Board and the FBI.
February
1, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Julie Marie Sergojan (DOB 06/21/56),
a Thousand Oaks resident and former Los Angeles County deputy
district attorney, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison
on Wednesday, January 31, following her guilty pleas to nine
felony charges arising from three separate fraud schemes.
Sergojan pled guilty to felony charges of identity theft,
grand theft, loan fraud, forgery, and passing bad checks.
Sergojan's crimes were investigated by the Ventura County
Sheriff's Department.
January
31, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the retirement of
Chief Investigator Gary Auer. Deputy Chief Investigator
Rob Briner has been appointed to replace Mr. Auer as Chief
Investigator.
January
31, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that, after a lengthy
and intensive investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's
Department, the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted
John Joseph Lewis.
January
25, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Ventura County Safe Harbor West is now
officially accredited with the National Children's Alliance.
Safe Harbor West, a multidisciplinary interview and advocacy
center for child physical assault and child and adult sexual
assault victims, provides forensic medical examinations and
forensic interviews in a safe, secure, victim-friendly setting.
The center also links victims and their families with support
services from victim advocates and local non-profit agencies.
The Safe Harbor multidisciplinary team is a collaboration
between law enforcement, social services, sexual assault nurse
examiners, victim advocates, and public prosecutors.
January
24, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
today announced the conclusion of the District Attorney's
review of the circumstances surrounding the June 12, 2006,
fatal traffic accident involving Oxnard Police Officer Frank
Brisslinger that resulted in the death of Cindy Conolly. The
accident occurred on the beach just south of the Mandalay
Beach Resort in Oxnard.
January
24, 2007 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
announced today that Christina Edwardson (D.O.B. 2/12/52),
a resident of Ventura, was arrested by the District Attorney's
Office - Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a felony warrant
for grand theft. The arrest took place in Ventura and was
the result of a 3-month investigation conducted by the Bureau
of Investigation - Government Fraud Unit into allegations
of housing fraud. Edwardson received more than $42,000 of
housing assistance for which she was not legally eligible.
January
17, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Andres Alfredo
Rosales (D.O.B. 1/15/86), a resident of Camarillo, was arrested
by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation
pursuant to a felony warrant for identity theft. The arrest
took place in Camarillo and was the result of a 6-month investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud
Unit and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Social
Security Administration.
January
14, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion
of the review of the circumstances surrounding the August
21, 2005, fatal shooting of Armando Nava by Officer Derek
Stephens of the Oxnard Police Department.
January
12, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced the conviction of Anthony
Thomas Leahy (DOB 2/17/60), a former resident of Moorpark.
Leahy pleaded guilty to 15 felonies including one count of
corporate embezzlement, two counts of grand theft, nine counts
of money laundering, one count of tax evasion, and one count
of failure to file a corporate tax return in order to evade
taxes. He admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from his
wife's former employer, Power One of Camarillo, and to laundering
more than $1,000,000 in criminal proceeds.
January
10, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Maria Lucille Velarde,
a.k.a. Maria Lucille Gabrie (DOB 08/19/57), a resident of
Moorpark, was sentenced to four years and eight months in
state prison for her role in two frauds that victimized elders
that she cared for at Leisure Village in Camarillo.
January
8, 2007 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that the death penalty
will not be sought for Javier Acevedo (D.O.B. 01/13/84). Acevedo
is charged with the May 5, 2004, murder of Ryan Briner in
Ventura. A jury trial is scheduled for April 18, 2007, in
Ventura County Superior Court. Acevedo's co-defendant, Rodolfo
Sandoval, was 17 years old at the time of the murder and is
not eligible for the death penalty.
2006
December
21, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced the conviction of Andrew
Sean Korotzer (DOB 09/07/66), a resident of Moorpark. Korotzer
pled guilty to one count of grand theft and one count of identity
theft relating to his scheme to defraud the Prudential Life
Insurance Company into paying him commission that he had not
earned. This matter was investigated by the Investigations
Division of the California Department of Insurance.
December
20, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Shoshanah Rebekkah
Abrams aka Susan Abrams, a former resident of Ventura, pled
guilty to two counts of grand theft from the Jewish Federation
of Ventura. This matter was investigated by the Ventura Police
Department.
December
13, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Esther Torres-Anaya
(DOB 06/05/73) of Oxnard was sentenced to five years, four
months in state prison after pleading guilty to felony theft
from an elder, tax fraud, and embezzlement by a public officer.
December
12, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that his office is participating
in a statewide campaign called, "Make it Home for the Holidays."
This outreach program seeks to bring greater public awareness
to the problem of driving under the influence (DUI), a crime
that typically increases during the holiday season, too often
with tragic results for innocent citizens.
November
28, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District
Attorney's Office obtained the conviction of Jamie Leslie
Gaspar (DOB 06/27/81), a resident of Simi Valley . Gaspar
pled guilty to committing felony grand theft and admitted
to stealing more than $150,000 from her employer, Valley Growers
Nursery, Inc. This matter was investigated by the Ventura
County Sheriff's Department.
November
21, 2006- District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the death
penalty will not be sought for Jermaine Robair (D.O.B. 6/19/81).
Robair is charged with the May 24, 2006, murder of Steven
Knapp in Oxnard . A jury trial is scheduled for April 18,
2007, in Ventura County Superior Court.
November
20, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Juanita Canley
aka Juanita Browne (DOB 01/17/59) and Hiep Quang Le (DOB 08/09/55),
both residents of Ventura , were arrested without incident
by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation
with the assistance of the Ventura Police Department. Both
individuals were transported to and booked at the Ventura
County Sheriff's Department-Main Jail. In issuing the warrants
for their arrest, Superior Court Judge James Cloninger set
bail for Browne at $100,000 and $10,000 for Le.
November
20, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Sam Grair
(D.O.B. 07/08/63), a former resident of Ventura, has been
sentenced to serve five years and four months in state prison
for his role in a switched lottery ticket scheme. Grair had
pled guilty to committing felony grand theft and to presenting
a fraudulent claim to a government agency.
November
17, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that a jury convicted
Maria de Carmen Del Valle (D.O.B. 8/2/61) of attempted murder
of her eleven-year-old daughter. The jury also found the special
allegations that she used a knife, caused great bodily injury,
and premeditated the attempted murder to be true. The jury
also found defendant guilty of felony child abuse on her ten-year-old
son.
November
15, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Chiropractor
Kent Pollock (DOB 7/25/44), a Camarillo resident, was sentenced
after pleading guilty to 15 felony counts of insurance fraud,
including a special allegation that he stole more than $50,000.
The case against Pollock followed an investigation conducted
by the Ventura County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation
and CNA Insurance Company.
November
14, 2006 - On
November 9, 2006, Ventura County Sheriff Ojai station detectives
capped a three-week investigation into the theft of avocados
by trucking company employees. Florentino Castaneda (38),
Fortunato Mendoza (46), and Francisco Ponce (32), all residents
of Ventura , were employed by Castaneda trucking and had been
hired by two companies to deliver the fruit from growers to
the market. Over the course of several months, the suspects
took their loads back to the trucking company's yard on Ventura
Avenue where they skimmed off a portion of their loads prior
to delivering the fruit to market. It is estimated that well
over $700,000 worth of avocados were stolen during the growing
season, which typically runs from March through September.
November
14, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that he will seek
the death penalty against Randolph Kling for charges related
to the murders of Michael and William Budfuloski.
November
13, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the arrest of Gloria
Estrada (D.O.B. 11/25/65) of Oxnard . The defendant is charged
with two counts of auto insurance fraud.
November
8, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction
of Dolly Ann Leahy, formerly known as Dolly Barrera (D.O.B.
12/06/63), a former resident of Simi Valley . Leahy pled guilty
to one count of corporate embezzlement and two counts of money
laundering. She admitted to stealing more than $500,000 from
her former employer, Power One, an electronics manufacturer
in Camarillo , and to laundering more than $150,000 in criminal
proceeds. This matter was investigated by the District Attorney's
Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the California
Franchise Tax Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
November
6, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit, in conjunction with the
Consumer Protection Division of the Los Angeles County District
Attorney's Office, has filed and settled a joint civil unlawful
business practices prosecution against Hussein Thiab Abuatieh
and Abdallah Abutarboush who have managed and operated three
retail automotive electronics stores in the County of Los
Angeles and one store in the County of Ventura under the fictitious
business name of "Stereo 1." The defendants also operated
retail stores in Kern County and San Bernardino County and
the District Attorneys of those counties joined in the stipulation
for entry of the final judgment. The case was jointly investigated
by the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair (BEAR) and
the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) of the California Department
of Consumer Affairs, and the Bureaus of Investigation of each
District Attorney's Office.
November
6, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Elijio Castro
(D.O.B. 5/12/76), pled guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter
in the stabbing death of 24-year-old Emanual Manzano. He also
admitted to the use of a knife in the stabbing and violating
a deferred entry of judgment on a drug offense.
November
6, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Margie Delores
Lopez (D.O.B. 12/7/63), a resident of Fillmore, was arrested
by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation
pursuant to a felony warrant for grand theft. The arrest took
place in Fillmore and was the result of a three-month investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud
Unit into allegations of housing fraud.
November
1, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arrest of Yannick
Truchi (DOB 05/19/65) of Camarillo . The defendant is charged
with one count of insurance fraud under Penal Code section
550(a)(1).
October
27, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that Manoj Majithia
(DOB 6/15/55) and Poonam Majithia (DOB 3/31/70) of Camarillo
were each arraigned on two felony counts of insurance fraud.
October
25, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a Ventura
County jury has found Alberto Carrillo (DOB 3/20/84) guilty
of first degree murder for the March 5, 2005, shooting death
of Pedro "Pete" Reveles. The jury also found that Carillo
used a firearm in the commission of the crime and that the
crime was committed for the benefit of or in association with
a criminal street gang.
October
25, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alejandro
Lopez (DOB 11/20/79) was sentenced on one felony count of
workers' compensation fraud. The case against Lopez followed
an investigation conducted by the Fraud Division of the California
Department of Insurance.
October
23, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Superior Court
Judge Vincent O'Neill, Jr. issued a permanent "gang injunction"
against the Southside Chiques (hereinafter "SSCH"), a criminal
street gang that claims territory in the cities of Oxnard
and Port Hueneme . The permanent injunction order prohibits
activities of the SSCH members in a 4.26 square mile area
designated as the "Safety Zone."
October
17, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that April Lynn
Chadwick (D.O.B. 7/15/77), a resident of Santa Paula, was
arrested by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation
pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud and grand theft.
The arrest took place at Chadwick's home in Santa Paula and
culminated a four-month investigation into allegations of
welfare fraud and HUD Section 8 housing fraud. Chadwick defrauded
public assistance programs of more than $4,550 in benefits
for which she was not legally entitled.
October
17, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on October
16, 2006, Dan Bradley Davis (DOB 2/15/1958), a resident of
Camarillo, was sentenced to nine years, eight months in prison
for auto insurance fraud. On August 30, 2006, Davis was convicted
of one count of insurance fraud and one count of forgery for
passing an altered check. Special allegations of a prison
prior and the commission of an offense while out on bail were
also found to be true.
October
13, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura
County District Attorney's Office has partnered with Community
West Bank to help educate the public on the various ways to
guard against becoming a victim of identity theft.
October
11, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer
and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a
civil unlawful business practices action against Patina, Inc.,
of Ventura .
October
11, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ruby Elizabeth
Stirling (D.O.B. 1/28/69), a resident of Thousand Oaks , was
arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud. The
arrest took place in Moorpark and was the result of a nine-month
investigation by the Bureau of Investigation - Government
Fraud Unit into allegations of welfare fraud.
October
9, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Mary Teixeira
(D.O.B. 10/5/76) and Rudy Torres (D.O.B. 2/22/31), both residents
of Fillmore, were arrested by the District Attorney's Office
- Bureau of Investigation pursuant to separate felony warrants
for grand theft. The arrests took place in Ventura and were
the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Investigation
- Government Fraud Unit into allegations of housing fraud.
October
5, 2006 - The
District Attorney's Office will be participating in a forum
entitled "Understanding and Avoiding Real Estate Fraud" on
Friday, October 6, 2006. The forum is offered to members of
Ventura County 's real estate profession by the Real Estate
Fraud Advisory Team (REFAT), in conjunction with the District
Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Program. REFAT is
comprised of real estate professionals from every field in
the industry and its mission is to educate the public and
real estate industry professionals regarding fraudulent schemes
and practices that are occurring at an alarming rate. The
F.B.I. considers mortgage fraud to be one of the fastest growing
white-collar crimes in the United States .
October
5, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction
of Eric Victoria (DOB 09/18/75), a resident of Camarillo .
Victoria pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.
This matter was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff's
Department and investigators from the District Attorney's
Bureau of Investigation assigned to the Southern California
High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF).
October
2, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Robert Troy
Caron (DOB 11-02-1957), a resident of Camarillo and licensed
California attorney, has been arrested and charged with twelve
counts of securities fraud arising from his improper solicitation
and management of private investments in strawberry farming
from 1999 through 2001. The filing of criminal charges against
Caron follows a three year investigation conducted by the
Ventura County District Attorney Bureau of Investigation,
with assistance from the California Department of Corporations.
September
29, 2006 - District
Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the sentencing
of three Thousand Oaks residents: Alex Albillar, Albert Alibllar,
and John Anthony Madrigal. On May 17, 2006, a jury found the
three defendants guilty of forcible rape in concert and forcible
digital penetration in concert of a 15-year-ol |