VENTURA, California – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that George Ronald Russell (DOB 11/11/56), formerly of Thousand Oaks, was arrested and charged with numerous felonies alleged to have occurred from 2016 through 2021. The complaint charges Russell with 12 counts of grand theft, two counts of attempted grand theft, two counts of theft from an elder, six counts of money laundering, and two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Russell is also charged with a special allegation that he took more than $500,000 during the commission of the alleged crimes.
Russell allegedly stole more than $1 million from 10 victims by making false claims to victims when securing investments in a booklet he wrote called, The DUI Nightmare. The investigation in this case also determined Russell resold interests in The DUI Nightmare without paying prior investors.
This case was investigated by the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation (BOI). The BOI believes there could be additional victims in this case, including investors in prior schemes. Anyone with information about this case or prior incidents involving Russell, should contact BOI Supervising Investigator Frank Huber at (805) 662-1740.
Russell was arrested in Nevada on April 1, 2022, by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $500,000. On April 11, 2022, Russell was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court and pled not guilty. A bail review hearing is scheduled for May 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13. An early disposition conference is scheduled for May 10, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 12.
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