Full Notification

Please see the News Release below from Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko

Felony Assault and Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Juveniles in Simi Valley

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that five juveniles have been charged for their actions during an assault in a Simi Valley movie theater parking lot on August 1, 2025. The alleged assaults include three separate victims.

Two of the teens are also charged for another altercation in the same parking lot on May 30, 2025.

Three of the juveniles have been charged with felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with the special allegation of a hate crime for each one. A fourth juvenile faces felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, as well as misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery. The fifth juvenile is charged with misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery.

Two of the minors are 16 years old. Three of them are 17 years old. Due to the ages of the minors their names cannot be released.

“Hate crimes spread fear, division and violence throughout an entire community,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “Our office is committed to holding these youth accountable and ensuring that justice is delivered for the victims and our community.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Maureen Byrne, the supervising prosecutor of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Juvenile Unit, is prosecuting the cases.

All five minors have an arraignment scheduled for October 10, 2025, at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.

Charges:
• PC 245(a)(4) – Assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury
• PC 422(a) – Criminal threats
• PC 242 – Battery

Special Allegations:
• PC 422.75(a) – Hate crime

Contact:Joey Buttitta
Title:Communications Manager/PIO
Phone:(805) 767-3400
Email:[email protected]