Full Notification

            Three Juveniles Sentenced for Hate Crimes in
                   Simi Valley Regal Cinema Assault Case

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that all three juveniles charged with hate crime allegations in connection with the August 1, 2025, assault at the Simi Valley Regal Cinema have now been sentenced.

The final minor charged with a hate crime was sentenced on November 19, 2025, to serve 270 days, consisting of 240 days in the locked Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. On November 13, the other two minors charged with a hate crime were each sentenced to serve 240 days, consisting of 210 days in the Juvenile Facility and 30 days on electronic monitoring. All three minors were ordered to participate in the Harm to Healing Restorative Justice Program and the Anti-Defamation League Program.

“Hate crimes will not be tolerated in Ventura County,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “We sought justice for our victims and accountability for the offenders that reflected the seriousness of these crimes. Multiple months of custody in a locked Juvenile Facility underscores the seriousness of their crimes.”

The remaining two minors involved in the case were not charged with a hate crime. Their cases are scheduled for continued arraignment on November 21 and December 3.

On August 1, 2025, five minors approached a group of teens in the parking lot of the Simi Valley Regal Cinema. An argument escalated into multiple assaults against three victims. One victim was punched in the jaw. Another was pushed to the ground and stomped on. A third victim was confronted with racial slurs, chased, surrounded, and repeatedly punched. The group continued the assault as the victim ran toward the cinema food court, where he was again surrounded and beaten. One minor recorded part of the assault while repeatedly using racial slurs, including the N-word.

“Based on the facts of this case, including the violence used and the bias-motivated nature of the attacks, we sought detention and significant rehabilitative consequences for the three minors charged with hate crimes,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Maureen Byrne, the supervisor of the Juvenile Unit. “These sentences reflect the seriousness of their conduct and the harm inflicted on the victims and the community.”

Two of the minors involved in the August 1 assault are also connected to a May 30, 2025, criminal threat at the Regal Cinema food court.

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]