Ventura County District Attorney's Office

VENTURA, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Jose Zavala (DOB 06/13/85), of Fillmore, was sentenced to the maximum of 100 years to life in state prison for the sexual abuse of two minor victims. Zavala was previously convicted by a jury on November 10, 2025, of three counts of lewd acts upon a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse. Several special allegations were also found true, including that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence and that the victims were particularly vulnerable.
Between 2019 and 2022, Zavala molested two victims. One was as young as six years old when the abuse started and the other was ten years old. The abuse took place regularly over several years. In 2023, both victims disclosed the abuse to mandated reporters who contacted law enforcement. Zavala gained access to the victims through a familial relationship.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Kern, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The imposition of the maximum sentence is warranted by the extreme and horrifying nature of these crimes,” Mr. Kern said. “It further sends an unmistakable message that abuse of this kind will not be tolerated in our community.”
Case: 2024001044
Defendant Information:
Jose Zavala (DOB 06/13/85) Fillmore
Charges convicted of:
• (3 counts) PC 288(a) – Lewd act upon a child
• PC 288.5(a) – Continuous sexual abuse
Special allegations found true:
• PC 667.61(e)(4) – Multiple victim allegation
• PC 667.61(j)(2) – Victim under age 14
• PC 1203.066(a)(8) – Substantial sexual conduct with victim under 14 years of age
• CRC 4.421(a)(11) – The defendant took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense
• CRC 4.421(a)(3) – Victim was particularly vulnerable
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Contact: Joey Buttitta
Title: Communications Manager/PIO
Phone: (805) 767-3400
Email: Joey.Buttitta@venturacounty.gov
Approved: SW
Date: December 16, 2025
Release No.: 25-150

Ventura County Sheriff's Office

During the past several months, the city of Ojai has been experiencing an increase of mail theft from United States Postal Service collection boxes specifically targeting monetary checks. Once the checks were stolen, they were fraudulently cashed resulting in several hundred thousand dollars being stolen. Detectives from the Ojai Police Station began an investigation and determined an organized crime ring was operating in the Ojai Valley and throughout Ventura County.
During the following several months, Ojai Detectives, with the assistance of the West County Special Enforcement Unit, identified two suspects, Jose Luis Uribe and Joel Cortez Jr. as being responsible for committing and organizing thefts from mailboxes themselves and coordinating the thefts with other members of the crime ring. Detectives also identified mailboxes stretching from Los Angeles County to Ventura County that Uribe and Cortez Jr. were targeting. Many of these mailboxes were in affluent communities throughout both counties. Detectives learned that after the checks were stolen, they were cashed with either stolen or fictitious identification cards through an online banking service or in person at various banks throughout Southern California.
As the investigation continued, detectives determined that Uribe and Cortez Jr. were also using fraudulent means to either make unlawful purchases or illegally acquire luxury and high-end performance vehicles. These vehicles were also used as get-away vehicles during the mail thefts that were occurring in Ventura County.
Due to the large amount of stolen mail, identity theft, and fraudulently obtained vehicles used by the suspects, detectives partnered with the United States Postal Inspection Service along with the California Department of Motor Vehicle Investigations Unit. Detectives authored a residential search warrant for the residence of Uribe and Cortez Jr. in the city of Montebello.
On 12/11/2025, detectives served the residential search warrant and located approximately $35,000 dollars in cash, hundreds of checks believed to be stolen, illegal firearms, several pieces of expensive jewelry, and several expensive gaming computers. Detectives also seized the following vehicles that were determined by DMV investigators to either be fraudulently registered or had their VIN numbers illegally altered:
2016 Lamborghini Huracan – Estimated Value $237,000.
2017 Audi RS7 Estimated Value - $129,500
2023 Cadillac Escalade Estimated Value - $90,000
2021 Cadillac Escalade Estimated Value - $80,000
2019 Mini Cooper Countryman Estimated Value - $27,000
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Conversion Estimated Value - $20,000
2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Estimated Value - $91,000
Unknown year ATV off road vehicle – Unknown value
At the conclusion of the investigation, Uribe and Cortez were arrested and transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and booked for the following charges in lieu of $1,000,000 bail: 530.5(e) PC – Mail Theft, 530.5(a) PC – Identity Theft, and 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy to commit a crime. Detectives anticipate arresting Uribe and Cortez for vehicle registration fraud in the coming weeks after DMV investigators complete their investigation. Detectives also partnered with the United States Post Office to ensure any mailboxes that were targeted were secured to prevent any other mail thefts from occurring.
Detectives are actively investigating this large-scale mail theft operation along with the fraudulent activity associated with the seized vehicles and are asking for the public’s assistance for any information regarding these crimes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Steve Bibian at (805) 677-8733 or Detective Evert Ponce at (805) 677-8772.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @VCSOHQSTATION, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories. Tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), where callers can remain anonymous.
Prepared by: Sergeant Gabriel Gonzales #4368
News Release Date: 12/12/2025
Approved by: Captain Rob Davidson #3573
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Nature of Incident: Mail theft suspects arrested
Report Number: 24-146468
Location: Various mailboxes throughout Ventura County
Date & Time: 12/11/2024 @ 07:00 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Ojai Patrol Station, Ojai Investigations, Fillmore Patrol Station, Fillmore Investigations, Headquarters Patrol Station, Headquarters Investigations, West County Special Enforcement Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, California Department of Motor Vehicle Investigations, Main Jail Classification Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Jose Luis Uribe, Montebello, 20
(S) Joel Cortez Jr., Montebello, 27

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 5:03pm a 3.6 earthquake hit 9miles from Santa Paula and was felt in areas of Fillmore.

December 11, 2025
Fillmore, CA — The City of Fillmore is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its annual budget. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement for the City.
The honor reflects the Fillmore City Council’s and City staff’s commitment to ensuring that the City’s budget meets the highest principles of transparency, accountability, and effective financial management. To receive this recognition, the City of Fillmore’s budget was evaluated according to nationally recognized guidelines that assess how well a municipal budget functions as:
• A policy document
• A financial plan
• An operations guide
• A communications tool
To earn the award, budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and
in all required criteria within those categories.
Fillmore joins more than 1,900 jurisdictions across North America participating in the GFOA Budget Awards Program. Award recipients serve as leaders in advancing the quality and clarity of public budgeting and provide a model for other local governments.
The City of Fillmore is honored to receive this recognition and remains committed to maintaining strong fiscal practices, transparent communication, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
Contact:
Name: Erika Herrera-Terriquez Title: City Manager
Phone: 805-946-1712
Email: eherrera@fillmoreca.gov
Name: Angel Garcia
Title Senior Management Analyst Phone: 805-946-1827
Email: agarcia@fillmoreca.gov

On Tuesday, December 2nd, at 10:55 p.m., the Fillmore Fire Department was investigating an outside fire in the 200 block of Olive Street. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, and no injuries were reported. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

Courtesy Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

On 12/07/2025, at about 8:50 PM, deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to the 1000 block of Oliver Street in Fillmore reference a shooting which had just occurred. Upon arrival, deputies located evidence indicating the incident occurred on Burson Lane south of Oliver Street.
Detectives are actively investigating this shooting and are asking for the public’s assistance for any information regarding the incident. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Christopher Vorzimer (805) 384-4731 or Detective Nicole Grover at (805) 384-4722. Tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), where callers can remain anonymous.
Any person with information regarding the incident is encouraged to utilize the link or QR code provided below to upload and submit any photos or video footage of the incident.
https://venturasheriffca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/25-1...
Prepared by: Sergeant Francisco Jauregui
News Release Date: 12/08/2025
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Nature of Incident: Burson Lane shooting - Public assistance request
Report Number: 25-156717
Location: Burson Lane south of Oliver Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12/07/2025, 8:50 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detective Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
City of Residence
Age
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).