Ventura County
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Community NewsSep 7, 20264 minSIMI Film Fest Returns to Simi Valley Featuring Over 100 Independent Films and Live Symphony Concert
The fourth annual SIMI Film Fest returns to Simi Valley from September 12–20, 2026, for its largest festival to date at Studio Movie Grill. Founded by local residents Katie Garibaldi and Joseph Metcalfe, the nine-day community event features over 100 independent films, 50 music videos, industry workshops, and the inaugural SIMI Youth Film Fest. A major festival highlight includes the annual Film Music Concert on September 16, featuring the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra performing iconic cinema themes at the House of the Book.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 7, 20264 minFormer High School Wrestling Coach Ronald Wilson Remanded into Custody Without Bail Following Pretrial Violations
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 4, 2026, that 73-year-old Ronald Wilson, a former teacher and wrestling coach at Oxnard and Camarillo High Schools, was remanded into custody without bail. Wilson, who faces 13 felony counts involving sexual assault allegations against four victims, violated his pretrial release terms by engaging in prohibited social media conduct and attending a church service on property shared with a school hosting a back-to-school event.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 7, 20264 minSuspected DUI Driver Dies at Hospital Following Broadside Collision on West Fifth Street in Oxnard
Oxnard Police Department traffic investigators and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office are conducting a joint inquiry after 52-year-old Sergio Martinez died at a hospital following a late-night broadside crash at West Fifth Street and Portofino Place. Police report Martinez failed to yield while exiting an industrial park in his Toyota Corolla, colliding with a Dodge Charger driven by 34-year-old Maria Cortez. Arrested for suspected DUI, Martinez became unresponsive at St. John's Regional Medical Center and was pronounced deceased.
Lana J. Yang
public safetySep 7, 20263 minTesla Cybertruck Crashes Down Ravine Off Wet Highway 33 in Ventura; Driver Safely Extricated
California Highway Patrol Ventura officers and Ventura County Fire Department crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash along State Route 33 at Casitas Vista Road. A Tesla Cybertruck veered off the rain-slicked highway and plunged into a steep ravine embankment. Emergency responders safely extricated the driver, who was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries as CHP issued rainy season safety warnings.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 7, 20264 min25-Year-Old Oxnard Driver Critically Injured After Mercedes-Benz Struck by Amtrak Train at Fifth Street and Rose Avenue
Oxnard Police Department traffic investigators are conducting an intensive inquiry following a severe Sunday evening collision between a 2024 Mercedes-Benz and a southbound Amtrak train at Fifth Street and Rose Avenue. The 25-year-old male driver stopped on the railroad tracks for unknown reasons prior to impact and remains hospitalized in critical condition at Ventura County Medical Center. All traffic lanes have since reopened.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 7, 20264 minK-9 Gator Helps Detectives Seize Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Ammunition During Port Hueneme Search Warrant
Port Hueneme Police Department K-9 Gator and his handler, Officer Tubbs, assisted Ventura County Sheriff's Office detectives in serving a major search warrant at a Port Hueneme residence. K-9 Gator's specialized detection work led to the seizure of substantial quantities of cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin, amphetamines, ammunition, and counterfeit pills suspected of containing lethal fentanyl. Authorities also recovered illicit cash associated with narcotics trafficking.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 4, 20263 minSimi Valley Police Release Body Camera Footage and Identify Five Officers Involved in July Dusan Street Shooting
On September 4, 2026, the Simi Valley Police Department released critical incident video footage from a July 21, 2026, officer-involved shooting near Dusan Street pursuant to California Assembly Bill 748. Department officials also publicly named the five officers involved in the lethal force encounter, including Sergeant Gene Colato and Senior Officer Bryan Sarfaty. The independent criminal investigation into the incident remains under active review by the California Department of Justice.
Lana J. Yang
local-newsSep 4, 20264 min22-Year-Old Santa Paula Motorcyclist Critically Injured in Head-On Collision Near Esplanade Shopping Center
Oxnard Police Department traffic investigators are investigating a severe injury collision that occurred on the afternoon of September 3, 2026, on West Esplanade Drive. A 2004 Kawasaki Eliminator motorcycle collided head-on with a 2010 Chevy Silverado driven by 61-year-old Juan Rodriguez as the truck exited the Esplanade Shopping Center. The 22-year-old Santa Paula rider became pinned under the pickup truck and remains in critical condition at Ventura County Medical Center.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 4, 20264 minKnown Gang Member Arrested in Fillmore Shooting Following Ballistics and Crime Lab Investigation
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 24-year-old Kristian Morfin on September 2, 2026, on a felony warrant stemming from a March 2025 shooting in Fillmore. Morfin, a documented local gang member, was tied to the crime after Sheriff’s Crime Lab ballistics analysis linked a stolen, loaded 9mm handgun seized from his vehicle to fired evidence at the scene. He faces multiple weapon, drug, and firearm discharge charges.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 4, 20263 minUnlicensed Driver Cited, Vehicle Impounded After CHP Clocked Sedan at 102 MPH on US-101 in Ventura
On September 3, 2026, a California Highway Patrol Ventura motor officer pulled over a white Infiniti sedan traveling 102 MPH in a posted 65 MPH zone on southbound US-101 near Victoria Avenue. Officers determined the driver was unlicensed, issued citations for extreme speeding, and impounded the vehicle on the spot.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 4, 20264 minThree Thousand Oaks Men Arrested for Brutal Poolside Assault at Oakview Apartments
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Julio Trevino, Adan Domingo, and Ivan Domingo following a violent gang-style assault at the Oakview Apartment Homes on August 28, 2026. Investigators report a 25-year-old victim was confronted, knocked to the ground, and repeatedly punched, kicked, and stomped near the complex pool after being accused of calling law enforcement. Major Crimes detectives are seeking public assistance and digital evidence.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 3, 20265 minCalifornia DOJ Clears Oxnard Police Officer in Fatal 2023 Shooting of Michael Owens
On September 1, 2026, the California Department of Justice released its comprehensive investigation findings into the April 28, 2023, officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of 24-year-old Michael Owens in Oxnard. State prosecutors concluded that Officer Manuel Garcia acted in lawful self-defense when Owens advanced at him with a knife and subsequently attempted to disarm the officer inside an apartment complex walkway. The state declined to file criminal charges, while issuing policy recommendations regarding mental health response and body-worn camera usage.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 3, 20263 minVentura County Law Enforcement Issues Public Safety Alert for Registered Sex Offender Listed as Transient
Ventura County public safety advisories and the California Megan’s Law database highlight 33-year-old registered sex offender Ernesto Santos Lugo, who is currently listed as a transient in Ventura County. Lugo's criminal record includes multiple felony convictions for sexual offenses involving minors, including lewd acts, oral copulation, and sending harmful material to a minor. Authorities encourage local residents to remain aware of their surroundings and utilize public registry tools.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 3, 20265 minFremont Courier Arrested in $20,000 Elder Computer Scam After Sting Operation in Ventura
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 2, 2026, that 35-year-old Ze Li of Fremont was charged in connection with a $20,000 computer pop-up scam targeting an elderly local resident. Prosecutors allege Li acted as a cash courier for an international fraud syndicate after collecting $20,000 in physical cash from the victim in early August. Ventura Police Department detectives lured Li back to Ventura for a secondary cash pickup on August 27, arresting him on the spot.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 3, 20265 minSanta Paula Apartment Worker Arrested for Using Hidden Box Camera to Secretly Record Children in Bathroom
Santa Paula Police Department officers arrested 48-year-old apartment employee Francisco Munoz on August 24, 2026, after he allegedly used a cell phone hidden inside a makeshift box to secretly record minors in an office bathroom. Prosecutors filed multiple felony counts, including child exploitation and child pornography possession, against Munoz following his August 26 arraignment. He remains in custody on $150,000 bail while detectives investigate potential additional victims.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 2, 20263 minFamily Identifies 7-Eleven Hit-and-Run Victim as Juan "Pato" Huerta Rosales as Community Rallies to Cover Funeral Costs
Family members have identified 7-Eleven hit-and-run victim Juan "Pato" Huerta Rosales following the tragic August 31, 2026, parking lot incident in Simi Valley. Suspect Abel Alvaro, 40, remains in custody for felony hit-and-run resulting in death. Rosales' family launched a verified online memorial fundraiser to assist with funeral arrangements and unexpected expenses while inviting community members to share memories.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 2, 20265 minReseda Drug Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Historic Ventura County Fentanyl Murder Case
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 1, 2026, that 40-year-old Charity Faith Wiley of Reseda was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for the second-degree murder of Devin Kastler. Kastler died in June 2024 after overdosing on a lethal mix of fentanyl and xylazine supplied by Wiley. The conviction marks the first time in Ventura County history that a drug dealer has been convicted of murder for supplying a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 1, 20263 minSimi Valley Driver Arrested Following Fatal 7-Eleven Parking Lot Hit-and-Run
Simi Valley Police Department officers arrested 40-year-old local resident Abel Alvaro on Monday, August 31, 2026, following a fatal hit-and-run collision in a convenience store parking lot on Erringer Road. Investigators report Alvaro struck an adult pedestrian with his vehicle before fleeing the scene. The victim died at the location, while police recovered the abandoned suspect vehicle and apprehended Alvaro nearby.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 1, 20263 minOak Park Driver Pleads Guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter in Double Fatal Newbury Park Crash
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on August 31, 2026, that 22-year-old Neil Liam Reb of Oak Park pleaded guilty to two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. The charges stem from a May 2025 high-speed collision at a Newbury Park intersection that killed married couple Alejandro and Maria Ramirez. Reb faces formal sentencing in October.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 1, 20263 minVentura Man Sentenced to 12 Years in State Prison for Multi-Year Child Abuse
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on August 31, 2026, that 51-year-old Timothy Wade Hensley of Ventura was sentenced to 12 years in state prison. Hensley was convicted by a jury in July for continuous sexual abuse of a young child spanning 2016 to 2021 across Los Angeles County and Thousand Oaks. Prosecutors noted that Hensley severely abused a position of trust through a familial relationship.
Lana J. Yang