VENTURA, Calif. – After a seven-day preliminary hearing, a Ventura County Superior Court Judge has ordered Rotherie Durell
Foster (DOB 11/03/85), of Camarillo, to stand trial on 35 felony counts, including the murders of Jose Velasquez and Bill
Levy, a violent armed robbery in Fillmore, and a series of financial fraud crimes. The court also held Foster to answer on
six special circumstances and all special allegations alleged by prosecutors, including murder for financial gain, personal
and intentional discharge of a firearm, and murder by poison.

Foster is accused of murdering Mr. Velasquez in 2022, stealing his van and financial information, and later disposed of his
body in the Santa Monica Mountains. That same year, Foster is charged with murdering Mr. Levy through intentional fentanyl
poisoning. While he committed Mr. Levy’s murder, Foster stole Mr. Levy’s phone, bank card, and credit cards in order to
drain his bank accounts.

Foster is also accused of committing an armed robbery at La Unica Mini Mart in Fillmore in July 2022, where employees were
held at gunpoint, bound with duct tape, and robbed of thousands of dollars in cash. In addition, he faces multiple charges
of financial fraud targeting vulnerable and elderly victims.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicide
Unit, is prosecuting the case.

Foster is scheduled to be arraigned on the information on October 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura
County Superior Court. He remains in custody with no bail.

Case: 2023001092

Defendant Information:

Rotherie Durell Foster (DOB 11/03/85) Camarillo

Charges:

• PC 187(a) – Murder (2 counts)

• PC 211 – Robbery (4 counts)

• PC 459 – Burglary

• PC 487(a) – Grand theft (3 counts)

•PC 368(d) – Theft, forgery and identity theft from an elder/dependent adult (10 counts)

• PC 470 – Forgery (2 counts)

• PC 530.5(a) – Identity theft (9 counts)

• PC 25850(a) – Carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle

• PC 30305(a)(1) – Possession of ammunition by a prohibited person

• PC 29800 – Felon in possession of a firearm (2 counts)

Special allegations:

• PC 189(a) – 1st degree murder

• PC 190.2(a)(1) – Murder for financial gain

• PC 190.2(a)(17)(A) – Murder during the commission of robbery

• PC 190.2(a)(17)(G) – Murder during the commission of burglary

• PC 190.2(a)(3) – Multiple murders

• PC 190.2(a)(19) – Murder of a witness

• PC 667(c) – Serious or violent felony (strike prior)

• PC 667(e)(2)(C)(iii) – Prior serious or violent felony conviction

• PC 12022.53(d) – Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury

• PC 12022.53(b) – Personal use of a firearm

• PC 667(a)(1) – Prior serious felony conviction

• PC 667.9(a) – Crime committed against a vulnerable victim

• PC 790(b) – Jurisdiction

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Contact: Joey Buttitta

Title: Communications Manager/PIO

Phone: (805) 767-3400

Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov

Approved: PN

Date: September 5, 2025

Release No.: 25-111

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ORIGINAL REPORT:

Gazette posted – online Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

On 02/08/2023, detectives with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau arrested (S1) Rotherie Foster for the robbery at La Unica
Mini Market.

On 07/03/2022, at approximately 07:42 AM, deputies from the Fillmore Police Department responded to a robbery that occurred
at La Unica Mini Market, located along the 500-block of Old Telegraph Road in the City of Fillmore. Deputies learned that
two unknown male suspects entered the market and brandished their firearms at the store’s employees while demanding money.
The suspects took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the store. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major
Crimes Bureau responded to assist with the investigation.

During the investigation, detectives identified one of the robbery suspects as (A)-Rotherie Foster. On 02/08/2023,
detectives contacted Foster at the Todd Road Jail, where he was incarcerated for an unrelated case. Foster was arrested and
supple mentally booked for PC 211-Robbery.

On 02/08/2023, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of second-degree robbery against Foster. Foster
remains in custody and his next court date is scheduled for 04/12/2023.

This is an on-going investigation. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau is seeking the public’s assistance in

identifying the second suspect. If anyone has information that would be helpful in this case, please contact Detective Corey
Stump at (805) 384-4745 or by email at Corey.Stump@Ventura.Org.

***

Nature of Incident: Robbery Arrest / Request for Public Assistance

Report Number: 22-87452

Location: 500-block of Old Telegraph Road
Date & Time: 07/03/2022 at 07:42 AM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Police Department Investigation Unit, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age

(S1) Rotherie Foster, 37, Camarillo

(S2) Unknown

Prepared by: Sergeant Francisco Jauregui

Approved by: Captain Victor Medina