Latest news with #VenturaCountySuperiorCourt
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Santa Paula man charged in slaying of Ojai woman, 2023 death of Ventura man
A Santa Paula man was charged with two counts of murder on June 6 in the recent killing of an Ojai-area woman as well as the death of a Ventura man in 2023. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced that Christian Alexandre Hillairet, 24, had been charged in Ventura County Superior Court with two counts of felony willful, deliberate and premediated murder, according to a DA's office news release. He has not yet entered a plea. Hillairet is also accused of numerous special allegations, including commission of more than one murder, use of a deadly weapon and a prior strike. Such allegations can carry additional jail time if he is found guilty. Hillairet is accused of killing Carolyn Nino De Rivera, 26, and William Thompson, 44. Nino De Rivera's body was found in a home in the 12000 block of Sisar Road in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula, also known as the Upper Ojai area, on May 31, authorities previously said. The home was leased by Hillairet and the two were in an "on-again-off-again" relationship, said Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Rob Yoos. Ventura Police Department and sheriff's investigators said they found evidence tying Hillairet to the Ventura man's killing. Thompson was found bludgeoned to death in Ventura on Nov. 3, 2023, according to the DA's office news release. 'The defendant's alleged actions reflect a chilling pattern of violence and cruelty,' DA Erik Nasarenko said in the release. 'Our office is committed to securing justice for these victims and prosecuting Hillairet to the fullest extent of the law.' Hillairet was arrested by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office with the help of federal and Mexican authorities in Rosarito, Baja California, on June 4. Investigators earlier had learned that Hillairet had crossed the border into Mexico through the San Ysidro border crossing early June 1. He was booked into Ventura County Main Jail on June 5 without the possibility of bail, court and jail records show. He is scheduled to return to court June 9. Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara with the DA's Major Crimes Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case. Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@ This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Santa Paula man charged in killings of Ojai woman, Ventura man
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Teens admit to bomb threat that locked down Ventura High School
A pair of California teenagers accused of calling in a bomb threat that forced the lockdown of roughly 2,000 students at Ventura High School last month have admitted to their involvement in separate hearings, officials announced Thursday. On Wednesday, one of the minors agreed to three felony charges, including malicious informing of a false bomb, conspiracy to commit a malicious informing of a false bomb, and criminal threats, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced in a news release. 'Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kevin DeNoce sentenced the minor to wardship under Welfare and Institutions Code section 602, the most serious level of juvenile probation,' the news release stated. The second minor, who is from Santa Barbara County, admitted to two felony charges, including malicious informing of a false bomb and conspiracy to commit a malicious informing of a false bomb during a May 21 hearing. That teen is scheduled to appear for an interim hearing on June 10 at the Santa Maria Juvenile Courthouse, as required by law, the news release states. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for June 17. The charges stem from the minors' involvement in a May 2 incident in which school officials received a threatening phone call claiming that someone was on campus with a bomb and intended to commit a shooting. The campus was immediately placed on lockdown as law enforcement was called to secure the campus and investigate. 'These threats placed the entire Ventura High School campus on lockdown, and caused students, teachers, and the surrounding community to be in fear,' Juvenile Unit Supervisor Maureen Byrne said. 'The juveniles who committed the false bomb threat and school shooting threat have been held accountable for their criminal conduct.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Family distraught after California county declares it 'owns' their ailing 92 year-old father
A California man is fighting for his 92-year-old father's rights after he says the county wrongfully put him under conservatorship - and won't let him spend his final days with his family. Howard Rose is under a Ventura County-imposed conservatorship that controls his person and finances - even though his family told Fox 11 they are willing to take care of him at home as they have done in the past. The family now claims the county put the elderly father-of-one under conservatorship to cover up medical negligence and gain control of his finances. They say the process was set in motion after a hospital visit last year led to false accusations that the family abandoned him - allegations that they vehemently deny as they try to get him back home. 'We had no civil rights; he had no due process,' said Cynthia Rose, Howard's wife. 'These people can just gang up on you and take your loved one - your dad, your grandma, your mom, anyone. It can happen to anyone and usually money is involved,' Howard's only son, Andrew, added. 'That's what they look for.' Both Andrew and Cynthia went on to claim that Ventura County has been racking up unnecessary medical bills by transferring Howard between nursing facilities. 'What floored me was when I saw the first bill,' Cynthia said. 'The nursing home was more expensive than the one we used in Santa Barbara and the care was appalling - they had 129 cases of elder abuse there.' Andrew also said he now fears the county will take the condo the family lives in 'just to pay these bills we don't even owe.' He explained that the Ventura County Superior Court established the conservatorship after a judge heard testimony and evidence about his ailing condition. But when Andrew tried to speak at a hearing on September 24, he said Judge Roger L Lund denied his request. At the same time, he said, Assistant County Counsel Mitchell Davis admitted he never reviewed his father's file - yet still expressed his intent to issue conservatorship if Howard were to return to the hospital. The following month, Andrew said Jude Lund held another hearing - but only included county witnesses and omitted the testimony of his father's patient advocate. The doctor who did speak, Dr. Daniel Cox - who Andrew said put his father on palliative care without his consent - was then unable to reconcile contradictions between the nurse reports and his own, the worried son claimed. He said that when he then asked to speak, Judge Lund threatened to remove him from the courtroom before granting a temporary conservatorship and suspending his mother's 1999 power of attorney. County officials then allegedly justified his father's need for a feeding tube based on failed tests - despite Howard reportedly passing the only test he was given. Andrew and Cynthia said they have since requested multiple independent evaluations - which the county has denied each time. They also said the county has denied their request for in-person meetings. A spokesperson for the county, however, has claimed the family was represented by an attorney 'who was permitted to cross examine witnesses and could have presented evidence to the court. 'The conservatorship and all actions taken by the conservator have been and continue to be under the court's supervision,' the spokesperson said, noting that it 'denies the family's allegations - there is no coverup. 'Andrew Rose and his mother have recently filed a series of claims with the county seeking financial compensation for themselves and for Howard Rose. The county is reviewing those claims.' In the meantime, Andrew said multiple agencies are reviewing the case for potential fraud. 'Judge Lund's pattern of granting conservatorships without reviewing powers of attorney or ensuring due process echoes similar complaints from other families,' Andrew told the news station. He said the family is now seeking Howard's return home, 'an independent medical evaluation as required by conservatorship guidelines' and 'transparency regarding the county's financial arrangements with nursing homes and physicians.' Thus far, though, Andrew said the family's public records requests for documents have been delayed or ignored. 'We call on anyone else affected by the Ventura County Public Guardian or the Superior Courts and Probate Division to come forward,' he pleaded. 'Howard - who survived palliative care after being deemed "too old" for treatment - still begs to come home,' the son added. 'The County's silence, lack of oversight and denial of records only reinforce our concerns. We challenge them to meet with us publicly and show documentation of Howard's care and end this pattern of harm toward the elderly. 'On Easter, we plead for grace: return Howard to his family and stop using the court system to exploit the vulnerable. 'Justice for Howard - and for all victims - demands that Ventura County's corruption and secrecy be brought to light.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over fight at 2024 Chopper Fest
A man who said he was injured in a fight at a motorcycle event held last year at the Ventura County Fairgrounds has filed a lawsuit claiming the fairgrounds and others didn't do enough to protect him. Jose Jesus Delgadillo filed suit on Feb. 24 in Ventura County Superior Court, alleging he suffered multiple injuries in a fight at the David Mann Chopper Fest on Feb. 11, 2024. Delgadillo said he was walking down the Ventura seaside fairground's Main Street when he was "assaulted" by others attending the event. He alleged in a court complaint the fairgrounds and others did not deescalate the altercation and should have prevented the 'brutal attack.' After last year's Chopper Fest, Ventura police reported three men were stabbed during a large daytime fight at the event. The men were treated at the Ventura County Medical Center. Two police officers, hired by Chopper Fest, were at the event and more responded to the altercation. The plaintiff's lawyers did not respond to questions about the lawsuit including whether Delgadillo was one of the men stabbed. According to court records, Delgadillo is seeking personal injury damages of more than $35,000. Delgadillo did not reveal his city of residence in the court complaint. Officials from Chopper Fest also did not respond to messages. Fairgrounds CEO Heidi Ortiz declined to comment, noting that the litigation was ongoing. The fairgrounds are owned by the state and operated by the 31st District Agricultural Association. In addition to hosting the annual county fair, the property is regularly leased out for other events. The California Fair Services Authority and the county of Ventura are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit, as is Chopper Fest. The Chopper Fest is a motorcycle culture and art event named for artist David Mann who is described on the fest's website as the Norman Rockwell of the biker world. This year's event was held at the fairgrounds on Feb. 9. Police said there were no incidents. A court hearing on the lawsuit is set for July 28. Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over Chopper Fest fight
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over fight at 2024 Chopper Fest
A man who said he was injured in a fight at a motorcycle event held last year at the Ventura County Fairgrounds has filed a lawsuit claiming the fairgrounds and others didn't do enough to protect him. Jose Jesus Delgadillo filed suit on Feb. 24 in Ventura County Superior Court, alleging he suffered multiple injuries in a fight at the David Mann Chopper Fest on Feb. 11, 2024. Delgadillo said he was walking down the Ventura seaside fairground's Main Street when he was "assaulted" by others attending the event. He alleged in a court complaint the fairgrounds and others did not deescalate the altercation and should have prevented the 'brutal attack.' After last year's Chopper Fest, Ventura police reported three men were stabbed during a large daytime fight at the event. The men were treated at the Ventura County Medical Center. Two police officers, hired by Chopper Fest, were at the event and more responded to the altercation. The plaintiff's lawyers did not respond to questions about the lawsuit including whether Delgadillo was one of the men stabbed. According to court records, Delgadillo is seeking personal injury damages of more than $35,000. Delgadillo did not reveal his city of residence in the court complaint. Officials from Chopper Fest also did not respond to messages. Fairgrounds CEO Heidi Ortiz declined to comment, noting that the litigation was ongoing. The fairgrounds are owned by the state and operated by the 31st District Agricultural Association. In addition to hosting the annual county fair, the property is regularly leased out for other events. The California Fair Services Authority and the county of Ventura are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit, as is Chopper Fest. The Chopper Fest is a motorcycle culture and art event named for artist David Mann who is described on the fest's website as the Norman Rockwell of the biker world. This year's event was held at the fairgrounds on Feb. 9. Police said there were no incidents. A court hearing on the lawsuit is set for July 28. Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over Chopper Fest fight
