July 2, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Alex Medina (DOB 12/16/94) in the Ventura County Superior Court for the killing of Seth Scarmanich (DOB 6/30/92) on April 26, 2009.

June 29, 2009 - The California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) has urged Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to abandon his Administration's proposal to commute the sentences of criminal aliens in state prisons in order to refer them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.

June 23, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury found Michael Terry Bush (DOB 9/24/49), of Oxnard, guilty of corporate embezzlement of more than $500,000.

June 17, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten issued a Consumer Protection Advisory today to Ventura County residents who may be facing foreclosure due to their inability to make timely payments on their home loans.

June 15, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Kmart Corporation (“Kmart”), of Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

June 15, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has joined with the Office of the California Attorney General, as well as the offices of 19 other district attorneys, and the Los Angeles City Attorney in filing a civil law enforcement action against Target Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

June 12, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Herrera (DOB 6/13/79), of Canoga Park, was sentenced to three years felony probation and 90 days in the Ventura County jail after pleading guilty to felony auto insurance fraud.

June 9, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Rebecca Braswell (DOB 9/26/80) was sentenced by the Honorable Bruce Clark to life without the possibility of parole for her role in the shooting death of her ex-husband John Marmo.

June 5, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Richard Gene Ballard (DOB 10/10/50), of Camarillo, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony possession of child pornography and three counts of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child.

June 3, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges will not be filed against Claudia Valenciana (DOB 5/8/74), of Ventura, for the killing of Robert Edward Perez, Jr. (DOB 10/17/71) of Ventura, on March 2, 2009.

May 22, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Christopher Lester Oswald (DOB 6/21/67), of Camarillo, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony possession of child pornography.

May 20, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on May 19, 2009, the Honorable James Cloninger sentenced David Larry Gardner, aka Larry Gardner (DOB 03/02/41), of Ojai, to 33 years in prison following his convictions in 2008 of 29 felony charges in two separate cases.

May 15, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Herrera (DOB 6/13/79) pled guilty to a violation of Penal Code section 550(a)(1), insurance fraud.

May 15, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the death penalty will not be sought for Calvin Sharp (DOB 8/20/79). Sharp is charged with the August 12, 2007, murder of Sev'n Molina, aged 6, in Thousand Oaks.

May 15, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on May 15, 2009, Peter Joseph Wagner (DOB 06/30/57), a Thousand Oaks resident, was arraigned on a felony criminal complaint charging him with four counts of felony sales tax evasion.

May 13, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has arrested and charged Sean Joseph McConville (DOB 3/11/1980) of Simi Valley with 20 felony counts of petty theft with a prior arising from mail solicitations relating to property tax reassessments.

May 6, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Catherine Duggan, Director of the District Attorney's Crime Victims Assistance Program, has received the Governor's Crime Victims Services Award. This prestigious award recognizes Ms. Duggan's leadership in advancing the rights of victims of crime.

May 5, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Auto Insurance Fraud Unit arrested and charged Jose Herrera (DOB 6/13/79) of Canoga Park , with one count of felony auto insurance fraud.

May 5, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Enrique (Erick) Boelcke (DOB 08/17/44), formerly of Santa Monica, was sentenced to serve five years and four months in state prison for embezzling from his former employer, Santa Clara Organics.

April 30, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the grand jury has indicted Hollis Walters (D.O.B 5/13/88), and Robert Wilcox III (D.O.B. 8/26/77) on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery for the March 21, 2009, crime which occurred at the Subway and Cold Stone Creamery restaurants in the city of Camarillo.

April 28, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that assistance in obtaining domestic violence restraining orders is available at the District Attorney's East County Office.

April 20, 2009 - 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 20, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Bogdan Ion Paun (D/O/B 10/18/69), a resident of Hollywood, was sentenced to serve one year in jail for his role in a “skimming” operation that victimized the Bank of America in Newbury Park.

April 17, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Peter Rodriguez (DOB 12/15/73) of Oxnard, was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell to 19 years to life in state prison for the killing of John Orrantia, aged 28, and the attack on Orlando Orrantia, aged 24, of Ventura.

April 16, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jennifer Lee (DOB 2/24/1983), a resident of Camarillo , was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony auto insurance fraud. Lee was sentenced to five years formal probation and ordered to serve 90 days in the Ventura County jail.

April 16, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Michael Joseph Pearns (DOB 12/14/50) has been sentenced to serve three years in state prison after being found guilty of grand theft of more than $50,000. After a six-day trial, Pearns, a former resident of Agoura, was found guilty of stealing $97,186 from his former employees and business partners.

April 16, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that James Connelly (DOB 12/21/52) and Sheryl Connelly (DOB 12/19/59) were sentenced to serve 120 days in the Ventura County jail and placed on three years supervised probation after pleading guilty to felony grand theft.

April 14, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the week of April 26 through May 2, 2009, is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. During this week, crime victims, service providers, community volunteers, criminal justice and other professionals, will join together to recognize the needs and rights of crime victims.

March 19, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury found Michael Joseph Pearns (DOB 12/14/50) guilty of grand theft of more than $50,000. After a six-day trial, Pearns, a former resident of Agoura, was found guilty of stealing $97,186 from his former employees and business partners.

March 16, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, in conjunction with the California Attorney General's Consumer Law Section, has settled a joint civil unlawful business practices action against Imergent, Inc. and StoresOnline, Inc. of Orem , Utah .

March 13, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury has found George Christian Costales (DOB: 4/12/69) guilty of felony stalking in violation of Penal Code 646.9(a). Costales, a resident of Michigan, became fixated on the female victim after happening upon her MySpace page on the internet in December 2007.

March 2, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Shannon Marie Butler (DOB: 12/01/83) pled guilty to first-degree murder for the death of John Marmo. Mr. Marmo was murdered outside of his Camarillo home on December 1, 2006.

February 25, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alan Olin (DOB 11/25/1960), a Thousand Oaks resident, was sentenced to 28 months in state prison and ordered to pay $120,735 in restitution to the Conejo Valley United Soccer Club.

February 25, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Greg Loren Winslow (DOB 12/24/63), a resident of Ventura , was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for grand theft and misappropriation of public funds.

February 12, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Steve Graben (DOB 3/23/58), formerly of Santa Maria, was sentenced to serve two years in state prison for possessing child pornography. Graben pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of child pornography.

February 12, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Diego Antonio Ortega (DOB 6/13/70), of Oxnard, was sentenced to serve one year in the Ventura County jail and placed on supervised probation after pleading guilty to felony possession of child pornography.

February 6, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Mohammad Afzal Sarwary (DOB 9/10/66) of Thousand Oaks was arrested on one count of grand theft of government housing funds.

February 3, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Christina Edwardson (DOB: 1/12/1952), a resident of Ventura , was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge David Worley to 90 days in the county jail as a result of her guilty plea on October 16, 2008, to a charge of grand theft.

January 29, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Martin A. Suarez (04/06/1968), a resident of Oxnard.

January 28, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced he is pleased that Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Brown have filed a motion to terminate Receiver J. Clark Kelso's wasteful plans to spend $8 billion of taxpayer funds for the construction of prison healthcare facilities.

January 26, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lance W. Brown (DOB: 07/15/83) of Port Hueneme pleaded guilty to felony accessory after the fact of murder.

January 26, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that he and 56 other elected district attorneys and the Los Angeles City Attorney dispatched letters Friday to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the members of the California Legislature concerning state budget proposals that would irreparably harm California prosecutors' ability to protect their communities.

January 20, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that a final judgment and permanent injunction has been obtained in a civil environmental protection case against Aera Energy LLC.

January 12, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Chad Aaron Ward (DOB 05/01/75), a former resident of Ventura , pleaded guilty to five counts of felony grand theft and admitted to taking more than $50,000. This matter was investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation.

January 9, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Armando Lopez (DOB 12/24/82) and his brother Fernando Lopez (DOB 5/10/84), both from Oxnard , were sentenced after pleading guilty to felony auto insurance fraud.

January 7, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alan Olin (DOB 11/25/1960) plead guilty to one felony count of grand theft and admitted to a special allegation that the theft exceeded $65,000.

January 6, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Daniel Ramirez (DOB 7/27/80) of Oxnard, was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie to 21 years in state prison for the killing of Michael Velasquez, age 45, of Port Hueneme.

January 5, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Juanita Ann Canley aka Juanita Browne, (DOB 01/17/59) of Ventura, has been placed on five years of felony probation and ordered to serve 270 days in the Ventura County Jail. Canley was sentenced for the thefts she committed and kickbacks she received when she was employed as a Deputy Public Guardian for Ventura County .

January 5, 2009 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Reymundo Guerrero during his arrest by Simi Valley police officers on May 15, 2007.

December 16, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Superior Court Judge Kevin DeNoce sentenced Walter Lorea Escamilla (DOB: 6 /3/74 ), a.k.a. "Perro," a Simi Valley Westside Locos gang member, to two consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole.

December 8, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Lowe's HIW, Inc., ("Lowe's"), of Wilkesboro , North Carolina .

December 8, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., ("Home Depot"), of Atlanta , Georgia .

December 4, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Armando Lopez (DOB 12/24/82) and his brother Fernando Lopez (DOB 5/10/84), both from Oxnard , pleaded guilty to felony auto insurance fraud.

November 18, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Nina Marie McMahan (DOB: 7/04/1955), a resident of Port Hueneme , was sentenced today by the Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark to one year in the county jail as a result of her guilty plea on October 15, 2008, to a charge of grand theft.

November 12, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Manuel "Manny" John Perez, Jr. (DOB 5/7/72), of Oxnard , was sentenced to the California Department of Corrections following his convictions for several real estate fraud-related crimes.

November 12, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding the October 3, 2007, fatal shooting of Thomas Barrera by Sergeant Andrew Salinas of the Oxnard Police Department.

November 6, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that he has appointed Deputy District Attorney James Eicher to serve as Community Prosecutor for the cities of Simi Valley and Moorpark.

November 6, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Arellano Vasquez (DOB 09/27/1952), of Oxnard , was sentenced to serve 180 days in the Ventura County jail following his conviction of one felony count of workers' compensation fraud and one felony count of perjury. Vasquez was also ordered to pay $98,801 in restitution to the victim, Corestaff Services, Inc.

November 4, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Norman Anderson (DOB 10/10/46), of Ventura, was sentenced to serve two years in the California Department of Corrections following his felony conviction of workers compensation fraud.

October 31, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Juana Nunez (DOB 11/2/62), a resident of Santa Paula , was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud and housing assistance fraud.

October 24, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that he will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the District Attorney's new offices within the East County Courthouse at 3855-F Alamo Street in Simi Valley .

October 23, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Antonio Cervantes (DOB 08/17/85) of Oxnard was sentenced to serve 15 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for seven felony violations of Penal Code section 459, residential burglary. Cervantes was sentenced by the Honorable Bruce Clark

October 22, 2008 - The Oxnard Police Department conducted an investigation of a verbal confrontation that took place on October 19, 2008, between County Supervisor John Flynn and Oxnard City Councilman John Zaragoza on Hill Street near Durley Park in South Oxnard .

October 16, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Delfino Vasquez (DOB 8/3/81) and Walter Escamilla (DOB 6/23/74), both residents of Simi Valley, were convicted by a jury for the gang-related, October 14, 2006, aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment with violence and assault with a deadly weapon, upon victim David Youell.

October 10, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Alfonso Garcia Rubio (DOB: 01-23-1973) for the September 10, 2008, attempted murder of Robert Melgoza.

October 3, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Armando Lopez (DOB 12/24/82) and his brother Fernando Lopez (DOB 5/10/84), both from Oxnard , were arrested and charged with felony auto insurance fraud. Both defendants have pled not guilty.

September 30, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Norman Anderson of Ventura (DOB 10/10/46) was found guilty of two felony counts of Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud. The case against Anderson was filed on June 16, 2004, following an investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division.

September 26, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that AnnaMarie Tamayo (DOB 11/3/78), a resident of Santa Paula , was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for housing assistance fraud. The arrest was the result of an investigation by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud Unit, with the cooperation of the Santa Paula Police Department and the Ventura Police Department.

September 17, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Larry Gardner, aka Larry Gardner (DOB 03-02-1941), from Ojai, pleaded guilty to 24 felonies, including three counts of solicitation of murder, aggravated arson, four counts of extortion, six counts of embezzlement, six counts of forgery, two counts of computer fraud, and two counts of tax fraud.

August 22, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Martin Armando Suarez (DOB 4/16/68), a resident of Oxnard , was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for grand theft and committing a new felony offense while released on bail. The arrest took place in Oxnard and was the result of a second investigation by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation - Economic Crimes Unit into allegations of Suarez receiving monies from victims for the purchase of vehicles which were never delivered.

August 19, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten issued a Consumer Protection Alert today to Ventura County residents regarding a series of recent mailings to county residents which appear to be in violation of the law. Within the last week, numerous residents have received mailings from entities with names like "Property Tax Reassessment" and "Property Tax Adjustment Service" which purport to offer to file a request for a property tax reassessment for a fee.

August 7, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Norma Fonseca (DOB 12/16/63), of Camarillo, pled guilty to a felony violation of Penal Code section 550(a) (4), auto insurance fraud. Fonseca was sentenced to 60 days in the Ventura County Jail and placed on three years probation.

August 7, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Christopher Oswald (DOB 06-21-67), a resident of Camarillo , has been arrested and charged with the possession and distribution of child pornography. The investigation and arrest were a joint operation conducted by investigators with the Southern California High Tech Task Force, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Defense.

August 6, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Glen Snader (DOB 12/18/84), of Camarillo , pled guilty to one count of felony auto insurance fraud. Snader was sentenced to120 days in the Ventura County Jail and placed on formal probation for three years.

August 1, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of a five-count misdemeanor criminal complaint against Seth Taylor (DOB: 7/28/74), a resident of Ventura , and peace officer employed by the California Highway Patrol.

July 28, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten issued a Consumer Protection Advisory today to Ventura County residents who may be facing foreclosure due to their inability to make timely payments on their home loans.

July 23, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Cherie Lou Duval (DOB 08/22/67), of Newbury Park , was arrested today pursuant to a felony warrant for embezzlement, grand theft auto, and false personation of another.

July 18, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the result of an undercover decoy operation to identify local businesses who sell alcoholic beverages to underaged individuals. The enforcement action was a joint operation between the District Attorney's Office and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

July 17, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Bradley Yarbrow (DOB 7/29/49), of Los Angeles , was sentenced on July 16, 2008, to 120 days in the Ventura County Work Furlough Program. Yarbrow pled guilty on May 6, 2008, to a felony count of theft from an elder.

July 3, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that defendant Antonio Navarrete (DOB 4/28/84) pled guilty to the March 11, 2005, first-degree shotgun murder of Oxnard resident Vincent Martinez.

July 2, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction in a civil environmental protection case against Organic Spreading Corporation, William Irwin and Juan Arredondo.

July 2, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil case against the Mission Linen Supply stemming from a May 2006 release of sulfuric acid at their facility in the city of Ventura .

June 16, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Nina Marie McMahan (DOB 07/04/55), a resident of Port Hueneme, was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud and housing assistance fraud.

June 11, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Salvador Rosas Castillo (DOB 6/17/72) of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to felony auto insurance fraud.

June 11, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Rose Edwards (DOB 11/27/84), a resident of Ojai, was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for childcare assistance fraud and welfare assistance fraud.

May 30, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alexandra Eisele (DOB 10/28/65) of Port Hueneme was found guilty of five felony counts of workers' compensation fraud following a two-week jury trial.

May 22, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit settled a $6 million civil environmental protection case against MCM Construction, Inc. ("MCM") a Sacramento-based bridge-builder . MCM was the general contractor that constructed the recently completed replacement of the Santa Clara River Bridge between Ventura and

Oxnard.

May 19, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Robert Nipar (DOB 08-13-63) of Simi Valley was sentenced by Judge Bruce Clark to two years in state prison for embezzling over $300,000 from Amgen, Inc. of Thousand Oaks .

May 15, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Teresa Arias (DOB 10/03/73), a resident of Oxnard, was sentenced to serve 180 days in the Ventura County jail following her guilty plea for welfare assistance fraud.

May 13, 2008 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that criminal charges will not be filed against former Oxnard Police Officer Martin Polo.

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-old girl. The jury also found the defendants guilty of active participation in a criminal street gang and found an additional gang allegation true. In addition, the jury found Albert Albillar guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor upon a second female victim occurring on the same evening as the other charges. Alex Albillar (DOB 09/18/84) was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months; Albert Alibllar (DOB 9/18/84) was sentenced to 20 years; and John Anthony Madrigal (DOB 05/27/80) was sentenced to serve 19 years and 4 months in prison.

September 26, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office will begin countywide distribution of computer software called ComputerCop® to help parents keep children safe from predators and harmful materials on the Internet. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office is committed to the safety of children and has implemented the Protecting Our Children program to help parents and other concerned adults safeguard the Internet activities of young people. Protecting Our Children gives parents and other adults tools to help protect children from online predators and helps prevent children from being lured into various Internet crimes.

September 25, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the completion of construction on the new Safe Harbor-West facility. Safe Harbor-West is a multidisciplinary interview center that provides forensic interviewing and forensic medical exams for child crime victims and adult victims of sexual assault. The new Safe Harbor-West facility is a victim-friendly environment designed to mediate the effect of the trauma, the capacity to engage in treatment, and the potential for healing. The Safe Harbor multidisciplinary team approach includes the services of medical staff, social workers, victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, and public prosecutors.

September 20, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office obtained the conviction of Sam Grair (DOB 07/08/63), a resident of Ventura . Grair pled guilty to committing felony grand theft and to presenting a fraudulent claim to a government agency. He also admitted to stealing an item valued at more than $500,000 when he stole a lottery ticket worth $538,000 from a customer at the store where he worked. This matter was investigated by the Security/Law Enforcement Division of the California State Lottery Commission and the Ventura County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

September 18, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, in conjunction with the California Attorney General's Consumer Law Section, has filed and settled a joint civil unlawful business practices action against IMERGENT, INC., STORESONLINE, INC., and GALAXY MALL, INC., all headquartered in Orem , Utah .

September 15, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today Barney Rudolph Garcia (DOB 05/10/71), a resident of Camarillo , was sentenced to serve seven years and four months in prison for embezzling $447,000 from his former employer. Garcia pled guilty to seven counts of felony grand theft and admitted that he violated his probation on a previous grand theft conviction. This matter was investigated by the Oxnard Police Department.

September 15, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Leilani Diaz Laboriante, (DOB 10/02/68) was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce A. Clark to six months in the Ventura County jail following her conviction for grand theft. The Fraud Unit of the District Attorney's Office obtained the conviction following an investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Bureau. Laboriante pled guilty to felony grand theft charges for taking money from a local businessman while she was in his employ.

September 13, 2006- District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Jermaine Laquan Robair (DOB 6/19/81), a resident of Oxnard .

September 13, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Louise K. Steele (DOB 09/17/65), a resident of Simi Valley . Steele pled guilty to 10 counts of felony grand theft and admitted to stealing more than $150,000. This matter was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

September 12, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Joseph Dwyer (DOB 4/8/44), of Camarillo , was found guilty by a Ventura County jury of voluntary manslaughter with the use of a knife in the stabbing death of 26-year-old Debbie Wood. Ms. Wood's body was found inside Dwyer's Camarillo apartment by a friend on June 13, 2005. The body had been inside Mr. Dwyer's apartment with a knife embedded in her back for five days.

September 8, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Louis Ronald Troisi (DOB 04-07-1942) has been sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce A. Clark to six months in jail after Troisi's conviction for fraud. The District Attorney's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit obtained the conviction after an investigation by the Contractor's State Licensing Board (CSLB) and the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation. Troisi was found guilty of felony charges of defrauding an 85-year-old elder resident of Ventura , and her son, of over $54,000 in a fraudulent home improvement contracting scheme between December 2004 and February 2005.

September 8, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation and members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF) - Identity Theft Team arrested Crystal Susanna Rayas aka Crystal Mendoza (DOB 05/25/78) of Port Hueneme on felony charges of identity theft, grand theft, forgery and credit card fraud. Using the identity of her former boyfriend, Rayas acquired a variety of different credit cards and gained access to his bank accounts and 401(k) account. Through fraudulent access to these accounts, Rayas acquired cash, merchandise and other services totaling more than $117,000.

September 7, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Oscar Trejo (DOB 7/19/82), a resident of Oxnard , was sentenced for murder of his cousin, Ricardo Rosales (17 years old). The defendant was convicted of second degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in June of this year.

September 1, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Dan Bradley Davis (DOB 2/15/58) of Camarillo was convicted of felony insurance fraud and forgery following the conclusion of a court trial before Superior Court Judge John Dobroth. Special allegations of a prison prior and the commission of an offense while out on bail were also found true by Judge Dobroth.

August 30, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the appointments of James D. Ellison to Chief  Assistant District Attorney, Michael D. Schwartz to Special Assistant District Attorney, and Anthony Wold to Supervising Attorney of the Sexual Assault/Family Protection Unit.

August 16, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arrest of Aubulghasem Ahmadpour, (DOB 8/28/49), a resident of Simi Valley , by the District Attorney's Office Bureau of Investigation. Ahmadpour was arrested on felony charges of filing forged instruments (California Penal Code section 115(a)), and passing forged instruments with an intent to defraud (California Penal Code section 470(d)). This arrest, the result of an investigation conducted by the Real Estate Fraud Unit of the District Attorney's Office, was made at Ahmadpour's residence.

August 16, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Michelle Tang Zavala (aka Michelle Peralta, DOB 5/23/67) of Oxnard, was sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Barry Klopfer to three years and four months in state prison after having pled guilty to one count of felony elder abuse, one count of felony false impersonation, and one count of felony identity theft. Zavala's sentence included an eight-month sentence for a 2004 case in which Zavala was found in violation of probation after having been placed on probation for felony identity theft.

August 10, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory Totten announced today the arrest of Vicente Arzate (DOB 3/18/67) of Camarillo , Luis Enrique Rodriguez (DOB 7/28/69), and Maria Monica Gonzales Armendariz (DOB 8/9/75), of Oxnard , by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation. The felony arrest warrant charged all parties with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, Rodriguez and Armendariz with various counts of insurance fraud under Penal Code section 550, and Arzate with grand theft and possession of a vehicle with an altered vehicle identification number. With the assistance of the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, the arrests took place on Wednesday August 9, 2006.

August 9, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Major Fraud Unit obtained the conviction of Linda Virginia McClain (DOB 07/30/43). McClain was found guilty of felony Grand Theft of more than $19,000 from the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (Housing Authority). The investigation of the crime had been initiated by investigators from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of the Inspector General, and investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

August 9, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit obtained the conviction of Louis Ronald Troisi (DOB 04/07/1942). Troisi was found guilty of felony charges of defrauding an 85-year-old resident of Ventura , and her son, of more than $54,000 in a fraudulent home improvement contracting scheme between December 2004 and February 2005. The investigation of the crime had been initiated by investigators from the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) and investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

August 8, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Corrina Arenas (DOB 07/11/60), and Gloria De La Cruz (DOB 03/22/39), both residents of El Rio, were arrested by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation pursuant to separate felony warrants for grand theft. The arrests took place at the homes of Arenas and De La Cruz in El Rio and culminated a 10-month investigation into allegations of welfare fraud and HUD Section 8 housing fraud.

August 4, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Major Fraud Unit obtained the conviction of Andrew John Hulit (DOB 03/03/73), a Simi Valley resident. Yesterday, Hulit pled guilty to the forgery and embezzlement of over $13,600 from his former insurance brokerage clients. The investigation of the crime was initiated by the California Department of Insurance, Criminal Investigation Division.

August 4, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Maria Lucille Velarde aka Maria Lucille Gabrie (DOB 08/19/57), a resident of Moorpark. Velarde pled guilty to the felonies of grand theft from an elderly person, forgery, receiving stolen property and two counts of identity theft. Velarde also admitted to stealing more than $50,000 in goods. This matter was investigated by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation and members of Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF).

August 4, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Esther Spurgeon (DOB 9/21/55), an Oxnard resident, was sentenced on one felony count of grand theft with a special allegation for embezzling more than $150,000 from her employer. The case against Spurgeon followed investigation conducted by Detective Sam Arroyo at the Ventura Police Department.

August 3, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that Judge Herbert Curtis has sentenced Mario Gonzalez Miranda (DOB 4-21-77), of Oxnard, to 173 years 8 months to life for six counts of felony sexual assaultive conduct, three counts of residential burglary, and two counts of felony criminal threats.

August 2, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Walter F. Essinger (DOB 7/28/33), a resident of Santa Clarita.

August 2, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Keith Warner Fredrickson, (DOB 9/19/84), from Simi Valley, was sentenced by the Honorable John Dobroth to 12 years in state prison for committing an armed robbery in Simi Valley.

July 28, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of a civil lawsuit commonly referred to as a "gang injunction" against the Southside Chiques (hereinafter "SSCH"), a criminal street gang that claims territory in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme . The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against the SSCH gang to abate a public nuisance, and seeks to prohibit activities of its members in a 4.26 square mile area designated as the "Safety Zone."

July 27, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury has found Dennis Shellhouse (DOB 2/12/60), guilty of kidnap for ransom, criminal threats, and residential burglary, all with the special allegation that he used a firearm, and resisting arrest with a firearm.

July 26, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alfred Ochoa (DOB 8/25/66), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison pursuant to the Three Strikes Law after having been found guilty by a jury on April 17, 2006, of possession of methamphetamine.

July 25, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Julie Marie Sergojan, (DOB 6/21/56) a former Los Angeles County prosecutor, pleaded guilty to six felony charges and admitted excessive taking allegations arising from two real estate fraud scams. The prosecution of Sergojan follows an investigation conducted by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the Southern California High Tech Task Force.

July 21, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Ashley Marie Ponce has been charged with seven counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in violation of Penal Code section 192(c)(2). The charges are based on a traffic collision on SR-118 near Moorpark that occurred on August 15, 2005. Two adults and five children were killed in the incident, and another adult was seriously injured.

July 21, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Benilda Batoon Olivo (DOB 11/21/46) was sentenced on July 20, 2006, to five years in prison following her guilty pleas in April to 13 felony counts of securities fraud and elder abuse. The prosecution of Olivo resulted from an investigation conducted by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the California Department of Corporations.

July 21, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Chiropractor Kent Pollock (DOB 7/25/44), a 61- year-old Camarillo resident, was convicted of 15 felony counts of insurance fraud, including a special allegation that he stole over $50,000. The case against Pollock followed an investigation conducted by the Ventura County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

July 14, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Alek Fidanian (DOB 04/22/37), a resident of Fort Lauderdale Florida, has been sentenced to serve 180 days in jail for his role in producing deceptive identification cards that look like cards issued by a government agency. On May 31, 2006, Fidanian was found guilty by a Ventura County jury of two felony counts of producing deceptive identification cards, one felony count of conspiring to produce deceptive identification cards, and two misdemeanor counts of deceptive advertising. In addition, United States Identification Card, Inc. (USID) was convicted of the same felonies and one count of deceptive advertising. These matters were investigated by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

July 12, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that former Los Angeles Police Department Officer George Julian Stan (DOB 10-29-1968) was sentenced to 11 years, 4 months in state prison. Stan previously pled guilty to 15 felony counts of unlawful oral copulation and sodomy involving seven male victims. The prosecution of Stan was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and assistance from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

July 7, 2006 -District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury has found Nathan Sessing (D.O.B. 01/31/87), of Newbury Park guilty of first degree murder with the use of a knife and a baseball bat in the death of Larry Phifer (61 years old). The jury also found true a special circumstance allegation that the murder occurred during the course of a residential burglary. Due to the special circumstance and the first degree murder conviction, Sessing is eligible for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

June 29, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Division has filed and settled a civil environmental protection complaint against Operations Management International, Inc. ("OMI"), of Englewood , Colorado. OMI specializes in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.

June 28, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Oscar Trejo (DOB 7/19/82), a resident of Oxnard, of second degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon in the killing of his cousin, Ricardo Rosales (17 years old). The defendant and the victim were both seasonal farm workers who came to work in Oxnard in 2005.

June 26, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Sam Grair aka Osama Ghrair (D.O.B. 07- 08-63), a resident of Ventura, was arrested by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation pursuant to a felony warrant for grand theft, burglary and filing a false claim. The arrest followed joint investigations between the District Attorney's Office and the Security/Law Enforcement Division of the California State Lottery Commission relating to a fraudulent claim for a stolen lottery ticket valued at $530,858.

June 19, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that the Honorable Edward Brodie has sentenced Arthur Medina Luis (DOB 8/18/86), of Oxnard , to the California Department of Corrections for 16 years to life for the murder of Michael Angel Newman.

June 14, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Michelle Tang Zavala aka Michelle Peralta (DOB 5/23/67) pled guilty to one felony count of theft from an elder, one felony count of false impersonation and one felony count of identity theft. Zavala was arrested in February 2006, after an investigation by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation, and the Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF) - Identity Theft Team.

June 13, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit has filed an eight-count felony complaint against Manuel "Manny" John Perez, Jr. (DOB 5/7/72), and Michele Galindo (DOB 3/17/69) of Oxnard. The complaint charges Perez and Galindo with seven counts of grand theft, arising from their actions under the guise of Perez's wholly-owned businesses, Casa Bonita Realty, Creative Mortgage Solutions and Elite Escrow, between May and September, 2005.

June 13, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction and sentencing of Ricardo Negrette-Diaz (DOB 6/10/1968) of Thousand Oaks. The defendant was convicted of auto insurance fraud in violation of Penal Code section 550(a)(1). He was sentenced to felony probation on terms that he serve 60 days in Ventura County Jail and pay restitution. Due to his illegal immigrant status, defendant Negrette-Diaz' felony conviction makes him eligible for deportation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

June 12, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the sentencing of Ryan Dale Burchell (DOB 2/2/74) of Ventura on one count of criminal threats with a hate crime special allegation, one count of battery with hate crime special allegation and one count of resisting arrest. Burchell has been previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter for a stabbing that he committed in 1993 which was filed as a prior strike. Burchell was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Brian Back to 13 years, 4 months in state prison. He has been in custody since August 10, 2005.

June 8, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Gerhard S. Mueller (DOB 01/15/60), a resident of Newbury Park, was found guilty by Superior Court Judge Kevin J. McGee of 10 counts of misdemeanor contracting without a license and nine counts of accepting excessive down payment, all in violation of the California State Contractors' licensing law.

May 30, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil case against Oak Creek Golf Club, Inc. and Young Soo Park stemming from the alleged mishandling of asbestos-containing materials at the Camarillo Springs Golf Course.

May 17, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the office's Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction in a civil environmental protection case against John Frederick Bradley and Ken Holladay. Bradley owns property along the Santa Clara River in Piru. Holladay is the caretaker of the property. The case was based upon an investigation conducted by the California Department of Fish and Game.

May 8, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Raymond Allen Candel (DOB 04/13/41), a resident of Oxnard , has been sentenced to one year in the Ventura County jail for possessing child pornography.

May 4, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Linda Kay White aka Linda Shepard (DOB 08/04/45), and Linda Virginia McClain

(DOB 07/30/43), both residents of Ventura, were arrested by the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation pursuant to separate felony warrants for grand theft.

April 27, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Barney Rudolph Garcia (DOB 05/10/71), a resident of Camarillo. Garcia pleaded guilty to seven counts of felony grand theft and admitted that he violated his probation on a previous grand theft conviction.

April 26, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Benilda Batoon Olivo (DOB 11/21/46) has pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of securities fraud and elder abuse.

April 25, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Channa Pryia Ruberoe (DOB 9/16/65), a Sri Lankan national, was sentenced on April 19, 2006, by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark to 12 years in state prison. Ruberoe had been initially convicted on July 23, 1993, on three counts of violation of California Penal Code section 288(a), lewd acts on child under 14.

April 21, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the week of April 23-29, 2006, is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. During this week, crime victims, survivors, victim service providers, criminal and juvenile justice and other professionals, and community volunteers will join together to recognize the needs and rights of crime victims.

April 20, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Andres Zamora Acuna (DOB 7/26/69), of Oxnard , has been sentenced by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Bruce Clark to 180 days in the Ventura County jail. Acuna had earlier pleaded guilty to one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of forgery.

April 19, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Paul Cundiff (DOB 12/03/73), a resident of Ventura , has been sentenced to state prison for his role in an identity theft scheme.

April 14, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Ryan Dale Burchell (DOB 2/2/74), of Ventura on one count of criminal threats with a hate crime special allegation, one count of battery with hate crime special allegation, and one count of resisting arrest.

April 12, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Cesar Antonio Gonzalez (DOB 6/26/76), of Thousand Oaks has been sentenced to 25 years to life for aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and assault with the intent to commit rape in an attack against a 33-year-old Thousand Oaks woman in 1998.

April 11, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Edward Garcia Ponce (DOB 09/16/70), a resident of Fillmore has been sentenced to serve 150 days in jail for stealing a gun while on duty as Ventura County Deputy Sheriff.

April 3, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction in a civil environmental protection case against George H. Carroll.

March 30, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that charges have been filed against Port Hueneme Sergeant Chad Nichols (DOB 9/3/71) for acts involving domestic violence.

March 29, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on March 28, 2006, a jury convicted Arthur Medina Luis, (DOB 8/18/86), of second degree murder for the stabbing death of Michael Angel Newman, age 27.

March 28, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that charges have been filed on 32 individuals for narcotics sales and related charges occurring in the City of Oxnard. The charges were the result of a large scale joint investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

March 27, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on March 24, 2006, Domingo Angeles (DOB 6/12/66) was sentenced to life in prison for the November 26, 2003, murder of his wife, Lorena Angeles.

March 27, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on March 24, 2006, Randall Clifton Kling (DOB 10/12/56) entered pleas of not guilty and denied all special circumstances to charges related to the murders of Michael and William Budfuloski.

March 10, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Joe E. Cortez (DOB 4/11/68) and Ernesto Madrid (DOB 8/9/69), both of Oxnard, for the first degree murder of Karl Wenrich.

February 28, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Edward Garcia Ponce (DOB 09/16/70), a resident of Fillmore.

February 23, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office will implement a new Uninsured Employer Compliance Program on March 20, 2006, to ensure employers in Ventura County have obtained workers' compensation insurance or have provided benefits for their employees as required by law.

February 22, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Raymond Allen Candel (DOB 04/13/41), a resident of Oxnard. Candel pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography.

February 13, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Vincent Dean Valerio (DOB 11/24/56), a resident of Ventura, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for his role in an identity theft ring operating out of Ventura.

February 10, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation and members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force (SCHTTF) - Identity Theft Team arrested Michelle Tang-Zavala aka Michelle Peralta (DOB 05/23/67) of Oxnard, on felony charges of identity theft, grand theft, and forgery.

February 9, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office - Non Sufficient Funds (NSF) Check Unit has completed 20 years of service to the business community and residents of Ventura County.

February 3, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding the

July 26, 2005, fatal shooting of Scott Osler by Deputies Dave Sparks and Victor Medina of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

February 2, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his Consumer and Environmental Protection Division has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action against Pinnacle Foods Group, Inc., ("Pinnacle"), a New Jersey corporation. Pinnacle sells frozen fish products under the "Van de Kamp's" brand.

January 30, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his office has closed its inquiry concerning the allegations of Supervisor John Flynn against officials in the Ventura County Harbor Department and referred the matter to the Grand Jury for review in their "public watchdog" capacity.

January 23, 2006 - Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Menandro Banzali DeGuzman, (DOB 9/06/81), of Newbury Park, for assault with a deadly weapon and personal use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

January 23, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arrest of Valie Marx (DOB 12/21/66), formerly of Thousand Oaks, on a felony arrest warrant charging her with one count of Welfare and Institutions Code section 10980, welfare fraud, and two counts of Penal Code section 487, grand theft.

January 20, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Kami Ducusin Power (DOB 04/04/70), a resident of Newbury Park, was sentenced by Judge Bruce Clark to nine years and eight months in state prison, a restitution fine of $1,800, and restitution order of $683,259 to the victim.

January 17, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that on January 17, 2006, the District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against Bonnie Weiss (DOB 2/25/56), of Agoura Hills and Craig Fawcett (DOB 9/12/31), of Thousand Oaks, for the crimes of pimping and pandering, a felony violation of California Penal Code section 266(h) and conspiracy to solicit prostitution, a felony violation of California Penal Code section 182.

January 17, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Charles Stephen Hodson (DOB 02/17/54), a 51-year-old Ventura resident, pleaded guilty on January 13, 2006, to two felony charges of grand theft and forgery.

January 12, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Esther Torres-Anaya (DOB 06/05/73), of Oxnard pleaded guilty to 47 counts of felony theft from an elder, four counts of tax fraud, and one count of embezzlement by a public officer.

January 4, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that Domingo Angeles (DOB 06/12/66), pleaded guilty to second degree murder for killing his wife, Lorena Angeles.

January 3, 2006 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of grand theft charges against Andrew James Schroller (DOB 08/27/58), a resident of Ventura.

2005

December 23, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Randall Clifton Kling, age 49, for the murder of Michael Budfuloski in Simi Valley on February 24, 2004, and for the murder of William Budfuloski in Lancaster on August 9, 2003.

December 23, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Division has filed a civil consumer protection lawsuit against High Tech Pet Products, Inc., a California corporation, LMT Marketing, Inc., a California corporation, and Nicholas Bonge.

December 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the office's Consumer and Environmental Protection Division recently obtained two convictions for violation of the California Contractors State Licensing Laws.

December 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Italian national Carlo Parlanti (DOB 11-1-64) was found guilty of rape, battery inflicting injury on his cohabitant, and false imprisonment.

December 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jason Amico (DOB 7/19/88) of Simi Valley, was sentenced for the murder of his mother, Reina Amico (41 years old).

December 19, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Simi Valley resident Robert Galante (DOB 4-26-58) was found guilty of two counts of felony workers' compensation fraud.

December 15, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Javier Ambriz (D.O.B. 12/8/80), a resident of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to a single count of perjury, a felony in violation of Penal Code section 118(a)

December 14, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Vincent Dean Valerio

(DOB 11/24/56), a resident of Ventura.

December 7, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the office's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, along with the District Attorneys of Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, and Tulare counties, obtained a final judgment in a civil consumer protection case against Quikrete of Northern California, LLC and Quikrete of Southern California, LLC ("Quikrete").

December 2, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Everardo Ramirez Vega (DOB 11-28-1967) was sentenced after his plea on two felony counts of workers' compensation fraud.

November 22, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Edward Gracia Ponce (DOB 09/16/70), a resident of Fillmore.

November 15, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Javier Ambriz (12/8/80), a resident of Oxnard.

November 10, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Vidal Maldonado (DOB 07/03/39), a resident of Oxnard. Maldonado pleaded guilty to three felonies including identity theft, grand theft, and forgery.

November 9, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jason Amico (DOB 7/19/88) of Simi Valley, pleaded guilty to first degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon in the killing of his mother, Reina Amico (41 years old).

November 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Angela Nicole Noyes (DOB 08/30/81), a resident of Palm Springs, California, has been sentenced to four years in state prison for her role in an identity theft operation.

October 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation arrested

Dr. Kent Pollock (DOB 7-25-44) of Newbury Park, on a felony arrest warrant alleging the double billing of insurance companies for the treatment of individual patients.

October 6, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation and members of the Southern California Hi-Tech Task Force (SCHTTF) arrested Maria Lucille Velarde aka Marie Gabrie (08/19/57) of Moorpark on a felony arrest warrant charging her with one count of identity theft and one count of forgery.

September 30, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed a four-count felony complaint against Andres Zamora Acuna (DOB 7/26/69), of Oxnard.

September 22, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Flores Gonzalez (DOB 7/22/54) pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the April 29, 2003, shooting death of 44-year-old Fillmore resident Ruben Barajas.

September 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that today Raymundo Sanchez Celis (DOB 11-27-79), was sentenced to 58 years to life for killing Miguel Solis on January 18, 2003.

September 19, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today Valentin Garcia Lopez, Jr. (DOB 09/12/71), a former resident of Chatsworth, has been sentenced to serve five years and eight months in state prison for his role in an investment fraud scheme.

September 15, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the District Attorney's Office - Bureau of Investigation have been working with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office on an investment fraud scheme involving at least two alleged suspects with ties to Ventura County.

September 14, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County Criminal Grand Jury has indicted Guillermo Cazarez (DOB 7/27/51), Jose Cazarez (DOB 9/19/84), Alejandro Zuniga (DOB 7/10/70), German Rodriguez (DOB 5/19/83), Oscar Rubirosa (5/14/82), Cesar Rios (DOB 3/21/83), Sayra Morales (DOB 11/2/76), Angel Parker (11/19/82), Jose Octavio Rios Salinas (DOB 6/30/82), Jose Vidal Rios (DOB 9/25/75), Alex Quintanilla (DOB 5/19/75) and Wilfredo Jimenez (DOB 4/24/76). The defendants reside in various locations in Los Angeles County.

September 9, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that according to personnel at San Quentin State Prison, Larry David Davis (DOB 2-22-60), formerly of Ventura, was found dead in his prison cell on Friday, September 2, 2005.

August 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the office's Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment in a civil environmental protection case against AERA Energy LLC ("AREA").

July 27, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control announced today that the District Attorney's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed criminal complaints against eight Ventura County residents for the illegal transportation of hazardous waste material.

July 21, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Phillip Hammond (DOB 04/21/49), a resident of Ventura, was sentenced to serve 120 days in jail for stealing from the County of Ventura.

July 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Kami Ducusin Power

(DOB 04/04/70), a resident of Newbury Park.

July 18, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Zinaida Zina Mikayelyan (DOB 02/28/74), a 31-year-old Van Nuys resident, was sentenced to four years and four months in state prison for playing a leading role in an identity theft ring that stole $122,500 from a Camarillo woman in January 2003.

July 18, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Richard Anthony Frenes, Jr. (DOB 06/26/69), a resident of Oxnard, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a string of identity thefts.

July 13, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Flavio Veronica (DOB 11/30/71) an Oxnard resident, for armed robbery with a gun, and for being a felon in possession of a gun.

July 13, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the sentencing of Roberto Sanchez (DOB 8/29/1982) of Ventura, on three counts of attempted murder, two counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle, and special allegations of gun use and gang enhancements.

July 13, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Robert Sorrells (DOB 6/29/1930) was sentenced to 32 years to life in the California Department of Corrections for the July 24, 2004, murder of Arthur DeLong and attempted murder of Edward Sanchez.

July 12, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Adelina Magana (DOB 1/7/88) of Ventura, for her role in the killing of Manuel Campos (DOB 10/15/38) of Oxnard on July 4, 2005.

July 11, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office is a sponsor and a participant in the "National Night Out," event to take place in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, August 6, 2005.

July 1, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Melita Bedico Reyes (DOB 8/7/52) and Jaime Tabora Reyes (DOB 11/13/52), both of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor violations of California's Hazardous Waste Control Law, pertaining to the operation of their business, Reyes Automotive Repair of Oxnard.

June 30, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that the Honorable Kevin J. McGee has sentenced Douglas Edward Dworak

(DOB 5/16/66), of Oakview, to death for the rape and murder of Crystal Nicole Hamilton.

June 30, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Valentin Garcia Lopez, Jr. (DOB 09/12/71), a former resident of Chatsworth.

June 29, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Antonio Conde (DOB 9/29/70) of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the killing of Victor Lopez of Oxnard. The crime occurred on May 16, 2004, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on South "J" Street just north of Hill Street in Oxnard.

June 29, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Angel Velasco aka Angel Miranda (DOB 08/16/75) a resident of Oxnard, has been sentenced to serve one year in jail and has been placed on probation for five years for his role in a real estate loan fraud scheme.

June 23, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Arcurio (DOB 2/16/57), a resident of Ventura County, pleaded guilty to workers' compensation fraud.

June 23, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Graciela Beltran (DOB 2/21/56) of Oxnard, was sentenced on June 20, 2005, to serve 180 days in the Ventura County jail and pay full restitution to the Ventura County Human Services Agency and the Oxnard Housing Authority totaling more than $42,000 relating to charges involving welfare fraud and housing assistance fraud. Beltran had previously pleaded guilty to the felony charge of welfare fraud at a court hearing on April 28, 2005.

June 22, 2005 - District Attorney Greg Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office will not continue to seek the death penalty for David Zeismer (DOB 01/15/73) of Ventura.

June 16, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the office has obtained the conviction of Richard Anthony Frenes, Jr. (DOB 06/26/69), a resident of Oxnard. Frenes pleaded guilty to nine felonies, including four counts of identity theft and one count each of conspiracy to commit identity theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to receive stolen property, possession of access card numbers and failing to appear in court while out on bail.

June 14, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Edward Veronica, aka Heriberto "Eddie" Veronica (DOB3/22/74) of Oxnard, pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree robbery and admitted that in each of the robberies he personally used a firearm as described in the special allegations.

June 13, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Daniel Damien Martinez (DOB 10/17/84) of Oxnard, for the killing of Lorena Gonzalez on May 25, 2005.

June 7, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Davis Corral (DOB 8/19/81) pleaded guilty to second degree murder for the June 12, 2003, stabbing death of 21-year-old Oxnard resident Joshua Mumford.

June 2, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Luis Alberto Garcia (DOB 7/31/82), of Oxnard, for the killing of Lorenzo Lopez on May 29, 2005.

May 26, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conclusion of the District Attorney's review of the circumstances surrounding the October 31, 2004, fatal shooting of Mario Lopez by off-duty Police Officer Jaime Anthony Reyes of the Los Angeles Police Department.

May 24, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Clyde Goodballet, Jr. (DOB 08/23/50), a 54-year-old Camarillo resident, was sentenced on May 23, 2005, to three years and four months in state prison after he pleaded guilty in March to stealing $217,650 from his deceased father's estate.

May 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Angel Velasco aka Angel Miranda (DOB 08/16/75), a resident of Oxnard. Velasco pleaded guilty to four felonies including identity theft, grand theft and two counts of forgery.

May 20, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the District Attorney's Office has obtained the conviction of Phillip Hammond (DOB 04/21/49), a resident of Ventura. Hammond pleaded guilty to four felonies, including two counts of grand theft, one count of attempted grand theft and one count of receiving stolen property.

May 18, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Adam Adrian Lowe (DOB 3/25/75) of Oxnard, received a sentence of 17 years to life for the May 25, 2003, stabbing death of Gregorio Jimenez (34).

May 17, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on May 16, 2005, Robert Sorrells pleaded guilty to the July 24, 2004, murder of Arthur DeLong and the attempted murder of Edward Sanchez on that same date.

May 11, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Jose Luis Navarro Garcia (DOB 12/28/82), was sentenced to the California Department of Corrections for a term of life without the possibility of parole for the first degree murder of 23-year-old Oxnard resident David Marceleno.

May 5, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the filing of grand theft, presentation of false claims, and receiving stolen property charges against Phillip Hammond (DOB 04/21/49), a resident of Ventura.

May 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Samuel Puebla (DOB 2/6/85), was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first degree murder and attempted rape of 19-year-old Valerie Zavala on January 1, 2003.

May 2, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Roberto Sanchez (DOB 8/29/1982), of Ventura on three counts of attempted murder, two counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle and special allegations of gun use and gang enhancements.

April 29, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Esther Torres-Anaya (DOB 06/05/73) of Oxnard, has been charged with eight felony counts of forgery and one felony count of theft from an elderly resident of Camarillo and has pleaded not guilty.

April 28, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the District Attorney's Office and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department has received an award from the federal Department of Justice in the amount of $188,264 to help solve "cold" homicide cases in Ventura County using DNA evidence.

April 27, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that a jury has recommended Douglas Edward Dworak (DOB 5/16/66), of Oakview, be put to death for the rape and murder of Crystal Nicole Hamilton.

April 25, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Anthony Navarro, who in recent years has called himself Anthony Spencer (DOB 04/18/1961) pleaded guilty to 24 felony charges arising from a 2 ½ year financial crime spree involving cumulative theft of approximately $2 million.

April 20 , 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Edgar Mauricio Berrazueta aka Edgar Mauricio Berrazueta Gonzalez (DOB 10-8-1961), an Ecuadorian national, has pleaded guilty to counts of grand theft, forgery, manufacture of false identification documents, attempting to dissuade witnesses, and special allegations under the aggravated white-collar crime statute, and excessive-takings enhancements. The felony charges were filed by the District Attorney's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit in January 2005.

April 18, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of David Ziesmer (DOB 1/15/1973) of Ventura, for the first degree murder of Nichole Hendrix, age 17.

April 12, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that two investigators from the office's Bureau of Investigation were recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General for their interagency cooperation in combating fraud, waste, and abuse in government subsidized housing programs.

April 12, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 10-16, 2004.

April 11, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the conviction of Douglas Edward Dworak (DOB 5/16/66), of Oakview, for the rape and murder of Crystal Nicole Hamilton.

April 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that investigators from the Bureau of Investigation - Economic Crimes Unit arrested three individuals as the result of two long-term criminal investigations involving real estate fraud.

March 28, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer Mediation Unit is prepared to assist victims in Ventura County who paid money to California Alternative High School to obtain a purported high school diploma and who are eligible for restitution as a result of the California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's civil prosecution against defendants Daniel Gossai, California Alternative High School, and California Alternative Adult High School.

March 25, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit has filed and settled a civil prosecution against GHS International, Inc. ("GHS"), located at 1806 Goodyear Avenue, Ventura, based on the alleged possession and transportation of tear gas weapons without a permit, in violation of California law.

March 24, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that the office's Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction in a civil environmental protection case against L.B. Palm Growers, LLC, Moon Valley Nursery, Inc., and Leslie W. Blake (DOB 6/12/69).

March 23, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Damion Jackson (DOB 12-10-82), a 22-year-old Oxnard resident, was sentenced today for the February 1, 2003, robbery/murder of Mark Droney. Jackson was convicted by a jury on January 14, 2005.

March 11, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury found Jose Luis Navarro Garcia (DOB 12-01-83), guilty of first degree murder with premeditation and deliberation for the February 7, 2003, murder of 23-year-old Oxnard resident Davey Marceleno.

March 10, 2005 - The California Supreme Court has affirmed the death penalty in the Ventura County case of People v. Gregory Scott Smith .

March 9, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that John Clyde Goodballet, Jr. (DOB 08/23/50), a 54-year-old Camarillo resident, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 from his deceased father's estate.

February 28, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that criminal charges will not be filed against Alvin Caddin relating to allegations of three underweight horses in the rental string at Two Winds Ranch in the city of Thousand Oaks.

February 24, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Erin Volante (DOB 04/08/68), a resident of Simi Valley, was sentenced to 64 months in state prison for committing several thefts in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.

February 16, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the arrest of Daniel Avila (DOB 06-01-79), a 25-year-old Venice resident, on felony computer fraud, identity theft, false personation, and election fraud charges.

February 9, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten is pleased to announce the promotion of Tracy D. Towner to Senior Investigator within the Bureau of Investigation.

February 8, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Zinaida Zina Mikayelyan (DOB 2/28/74), a 30-year-old Van Nuys resident, pleaded guilty on February 7, 2005, to seven felony counts arising from her role as a principal in an identity theft ring that stole $122,500 from a Camarillo woman in January 2003.

February 8, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the death penalty will not be sought for defendants Joe Ezequiel Cortez (DOB 4/11/68), Ernesto Madrid (DOB 8/9/69), and Ernesto Charles Hall (DOB 9/16/76).

February 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Edward Harrison Soong (DOB 10/24/78), a 26-year-old Port Hueneme resident, was sentenced on February 3, 2005, to 270 days in jail and three years on formal felony probation following his guilty pleas to three felony counts arising from his role in a local identity theft ring.

February 4, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection, Major Fraud and High Tech Crime Units have joined a group of federal, state and local agencies and national advocacy organizations to launch the seventh annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), February, 6-12, 2005, highlighting consumer protection and education efforts around the country.

February 3, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Marcelle Williams (DOB 6/29/85) was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison by Superior Court Judge James Cloninger. A jury had previously convicted Williams of the February 21, 2003, murder of Joshua Pelaya (DOB 5/16/85).

February 3, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Nathan Gregory Sessing (DOB 1/31/87) in the killing of 61-year-old Larry Phifer (DOB 9/25/43) of Newbury Park.

February 2, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges have been filed against Oscar Acosta Trejo (DOB 11/28/76) in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Ricardo Acosta Rosales (DOB 9/18/87).

February 2, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten today announced that the office's Fish and Game Prosecution Unit obtained a final judgment in a civil environmental protection case against Greka Oil and Gas, Inc. and Saba Petroleum, Inc. Greka Oil and Gas, Inc. is a Colorado corporation and was formerly known as Greka SMV, Inc. Saba Petroleum, Inc. is a California corporation.

January 31, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that William Sanchez Martinez (DOB 01/06/84), of Moorpark, has pleaded guilty to the felony of possessing DVDs for sale that failed to disclose the true manufacturer.

January 27, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his staff is assisting the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Victim Assistance Center, the California Victims Compensation Claims Board, and the California Office of Emergency Services in the coordination of services for the passengers involved in yesterday's Metrolink train crash and their families.

January 26, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit filed a 27-count felony complaint against Edgar Mauricio Berrazueta aka Edgar Mauricio Berrazueta Gonzalez (DOB 10/8/61), an Ecuadorian national residing in Camarillo, charging him with grand theft, forgery, manufacture of false identification documents, attempting to dissuade witnesses, and special allegations under the aggravated white-collar crime statute, and excessive-takings enhancements.

January 24, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that David Anthony Tomeo (DOB 11/24/67), a 37-year-old resident of Thousand Oaks, pleaded guilty to multiple charges arising from a sting operation targeting persons who trade child pornography over the Internet.

January 19, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that minors Chad Alvis (DOB 12/9/88) and Kyle Lofton (DOB 4/16/88) of Simi Valley were both sentenced for their participation in the hate motivated beating of Jimmy King (17) which occurred in Simi Valley on December 6, 2004.

January 18, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Benilda Batoon Olivo (DOB 11/21/46), a 58-year-old Sherman Oaks resident, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of grand theft and elder abuse.

January 12, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Daniel Layne McDougall (DOB 11/8/71), a resident of Newbury Park, has been sentenced to serve seven years in state prison for stealing computer parts from Xircom Corporation and Intel Corporation.

January 10, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Warren Patrick Mackey (DOB10/3/63) pled guilty to the June 1993 murder of Norma Rodriguez.

January 5, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit concluded a prosecution against Pier 1 Imports, Inc. ("Pier 1"), of Fort Worth, Texas.

January 5, 2005 - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Lealon Romain Johnson (DOB 8/20/76) of Port Hueneme, was sentenced to 172 years to life in prison after being found guilty by a jury.