Kern County District Attorney's Office

08/17/2026

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is honored to appoint Robert Pair as the next Chief of the Bureau of Investigations at the District Attorney’s Office. 🌟🚔👏

Mr. Pair’s appointment follows the retirement of current Chief Randall Meyer, who will officially retire on October 3, 2026, after dedicating nearly 25 years to serving the Kern County community in various law enforcement roles.

Robert Pair currently serves as the Sergeant of the Robbery and Homicide Unit at the Bakersfield Police Department. Sergeant Pair also previously held leadership roles in the department’s Special Enforcement/Gang Unit and as the department’s Public Information Officer. In addition, Sergeant Pair served as a federally deputized Task Force Officer with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Widely recognized for his dedication to public safety, Sergeant Pair was honored as the Eastern District of California U.S. Attorney’s Office 2018 Outstanding Investigator of the Year as well as the Bakersfield Police Department’s 2018 Detective of the Year and 2015 Peace Officer of the Year.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is honored to announce the appointment, stating, “Sergeant Pair is an outstanding law enforcement official with whom I have worked for many years on complex, high profile cases. It is my pleasure to appoint Sergeant Pair to this role, and I have full confidence that he will continue to provide invaluable leadership and expertise in this new position that is vital to the successful prosecution of criminal cases.”

Robert Pair shared his vision for the Bureau of Investigations and aspirations in the new role; “I’m honored and humbled to be selected to serve as the Chief of the Bureau of Investigations. I look forward to serving the Kern County community with integrity and professionalism and continuing the exceptional work of the District Attorney’s Office investigators and staff.”

Sergeant Pair is expected to begin his tenure as Chief of the Bureau of Investigations on October 5, 2026.

📲 Read more about Chief Meyer’s retirement and the appointment of Sergeant Pair here: https://tinyurl.com/4ew2dmvu

08/14/2026

A Kern County Jury found Juan Carlos Toscano, Javier Angel Ontiveros, and Garret Sebastian Cole guilty of first-degree murder and found true the special circumstance that the murder occurred during the course of a robbery, among other charges.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Cyrus Shahbazian.

On October 27, 2025, a fourth person prosecuted in the same case, Edrich Esquer Rubio, plead no contest to first degree robbery in concert with others.

On September 23, 2022, two victims, friends from Long Beach, California, drove up to Bakersfield to purchase “lean” (promethazine/codeine). When they arrived in Bakersfield, they were told to enter a detached garage located at 304 Real Road where the transaction was to take place. Once inside, Defendant Cole and Defendant Toscano drew fi****ms and Defendant Ontiveros and Defendant Rubio entered with masks and rifles. The four held the victims at gun point, taking $8,000, a cell phone, wallet, and keys. A struggle ensued, and Defendants Cole and Toscano shot one of the victims, Taylor Poulin, in the head. One round entered the victim’s head from the right cheek, going through his brain, and exiting the back. The other round entered through the right temple and out the back of his head. The surviving victim was placed inside the trunk of a vehicle but managed to escape. Defendants Cole, Ontiveros, and Rubio took the deceased victim’s body to Arizona where they attempted to bury him and cover their tracks. Evidence led officers to the defendants, as well as the victim’s body in Arizona.

DA Zimmer commented; “These criminals went to great lengths to carry out their crimes and conceal their actions. Through diligent investigative work by law enforcement and successful prosecution, Toscano, Ontiveros, and Cole will spend the rest of their lives behind bars, ensuring they can never again pose a threat to our community.”

The case is pending a bench trial on aggravating factors, which is for August 19, 2026. Defendants Toscano, Ontiveros, Cole each face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

08/11/2026

📸🔍 What an incredible day at the Junior Investigators event at the Library!

Kids got a hands-on look at forensic science, learned how fingerprints are collected, and explored the exciting world of criminal investigations alongside real crime lab professionals.

A huge thank you to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and the Kern Regional Crime Lab for partnering with us and providing such a fun, educational experience for our community. We loved seeing so many future investigators in action! 🕵️‍♀️✨ Kern County District Attorney's Office

07/27/2026

Bring your children to the library for an exciting afternoon of forensic science fun! 🔬🌟

🗓️ Wednesday, July 29th
⏰ Lab activity will be held during the lunch hour.
(KCDA on-site llam - 1:30pm)
📍Beale Memorial Library (701 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield)

While this activity is best for children ages 6-11, it can be modified for children younger than 6. We will have staff available to assist those who may need it.

Prosecutors, the Bureau of Investigation, and the staff from the Family Justice Center will also be on-site providing additional activities and goodies!

We hope to see you there! 🥳

Calling all Junior Investigators! Report for duty on Wednesday, July 29th for an exciting, hands-on forensic science adventure!

Learn from real Investigators with the District Attorney's Kern Regional Crime Lab as they demonstrate how fingerprints are analyzed during criminal investigations. Children will have the chance to compare fingerprints from simulated evidence and discover how forensic science helps law enforcement and prosecutors uncover the facts in criminal cases. This interactive activity is designed for children of all ages.
The fun doesn't stop there! Meet District Attorney Investigators, Prosecutors, and the Family Justice Center team who will be providing additional activities and goodies to take home.

The District Attorney’s Office will be on site from 11am – 1:30pm, with the lab activity scheduled during the noon hour.

We’ll see you soon, Junior Criminalist!

07/22/2026

Significant Sentencing Update 🚨⚖️

This morning, Pablo Garcia Perez was sentenced to three consecutive terms of life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional three years in state prison.

The sentence follows Perez's May 18th conviction when a jury found him guilty of six felony counts, including: Forcible So**my of a Victim under 14 years of Age, Aggravated Kidnapping with the intent to R**e, Exhibiting Harmful Matter to a Minor, Possession of Child Po*******hy, Forcible Lewd Touching of a Child, and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA David L. Eller.

On October 12, 2022, the victim reported s*xual abuse by a family member, Perez, that began in 2021. The child reported that Perez would lie to the victim about where he was going to take her, in order to get the child in his car. Perez would subsequently drive her to rural areas surrounding Arvin and would engage in multiple forcible s*x acts with her. Additionally, the victim revealed that Perez had threatened to kidnap her if she refused to engage in s*x acts with him or reported his crimes to her mother or other adults. Perez repeatedly used threats to solicit n**e photographs from the victim, exhibited po*******hy to the victim, and sent inappropriate photos of his genitalia to her via his cell phone.

The subsequent law enforcement investigation and medical examinations confirmed the victim’s report. Additionally, after being confronted with substantial evidence from his own cell phone, Perez admitted to many of the crimes he committed.

Today's sentence reflects the gravity of Perez's crimes and ensures he will be held accountable for the rest of his life.

07/21/2026

Luis Villachana was found guilty of first-degree murder committed in the course of an armed residential burglary.

On July 17, 2026, in a case prosecuted by Deputy DA Brandon Stallings, a Kern County Jury found Villachana guilty of First Degree Murder with use of a Firearm, Residential Burglary while Armed with a Firearm, Attempted Murder, three counts of Assault with a Semi-Automatic Firearm, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of Ammunition.

On August 29, 2024, deputies responded to a residence in Oildale on a report of a woman being shot by an unknown assailant. During an extensive investigation, detectives discovered that Villachana had a motorcycle that was stolen from his residence earlier that morning. Instead of contacting law enforcement, Villachana recruited numerous individuals to track down the stolen motorcycle. Villachana discovered that his motorcycle was inside the garage of an Oildale residence. He then went inside the house and assaulted a roommate in an attempt to get more information about who stole his motorcycle. Another roommate was contacted, who in turn contacted his parents.

The roommate’s father arrived at the house first and was involved in trying to keep the peace until Villachana pulled out a firearm and started threatening him. Villachana shot at the father’s feet which led to the father assaulting the Defendant in order to protect him and his wife, who had just arrived in her vehicle, along with several other family members. Villachana shot once more at the father as he attempted to run away, and then fired into the arriving vehicle, hitting the mother (Ruth Ann Cummings), who ultimately succumbed to her wounds.

DA Zimmer commented, “Laws are established to maintain order and promote justice, ensuring that disputes are resolved through the legal system rather than through personal acts of violence. Villachana's actions were avoidable and entirely unjustified.”

The case is pending a bench trial on aggravating factors. If the aggravating factors are found true, the Defendant faces up to 50 to life, plus 24 years, 4 months in prison at sentencing on August 14, 2026.

07/20/2026

The California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) issued a significant parole denial for convicted murderer, Alex Rubio. On July 15, 2026, BPH found that Rubio continues to pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety. Representing the District Attorney’s Office and advocating for the denial was Deputy DA Gina Nargie.

On January 3, 2014, Rubio murdered Princess Almonidovar when he struck her car while traveling 118 mph near the intersection of Ming Avenue and New Stine Road in Bakersfield. Rubio’s vehicle struck the victim’s vehicle with so much force that Rubio’s vehicle went airborne, rolled over, struck a traffic signal pole and utility box, and slid on its roof before coming to its rest. Half of the roof of the victim’s vehicle was found approximately 600 feet away from her vehicle. The victim died at the scene.

Rubio was uninjured. Following the crash, Rubio fled the scene by jumping over a nearby wall and hiding in a backyard. When officers located him, Rubio led officers on a foot pursuit, chasing him over three six-foot fences before he was captured. After almost four hours after the crash, Rubio’s blood alcohol level was .14%.

On December 15, 2015, a Kern County Jury found Rubio guilty of murder in the second degree, gross vehicular manslaughter with an enhancement for fleeing the scene, driving while under the influence with enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison.

Rubio is currently 37 years old and has served approximately 10 years and six months in state prison. At the recent parole hearing, the commissioners focused on Rubio’s insight into his crime, history of substance abuse, programming, and institutional behavior. Ultimately, Rubio’s commissioners issued a five-year denial.

DA Zimmer commented; “A five-year denial is a significant and fair given the severity of the crime and the loss of a human life. Rubio’s preventable actions had an irreversible outcome, and meaningful accountability requires significant consequences.”

07/20/2026

Robert Hernandez was incarcerated at Kern Valley State Prison (KSVP) for an attempted murder he committed in 2018 in Los Angeles County. While housed at KVSP, he murdered his cellmate.

Recently, a Kern County jury found Hernandez guilty as charged of the Second Degree Murder of Jose Aviles. The Court also found true that Hernandez had a prior “strike” conviction. This case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Cole Sherman.

On the afternoon of September 8, 2021, Hernandez and Aviles were escorted and locked into their shared cell at KVSP. This was the last time Aviles was seen alive. On the morning of September 9, 2021, officers responded to the shared cell where they located Aviles’ deceased body concealed in his bed underneath a sheet with a towel covering his head from view. Hernandez was removed from the cell. When asked what had happened, Hernandez merely stated that Aviles was “unresponsive.” Aviles had significant injuries to his face and neck and was pronounced deceased at the prison. His injuries included shoe prints on his face and neck that matched the bottom of the shoes Hernandez had been wearing.

An autopsy determined that the victim died from blunt force trauma and strangulation. At trial, Hernandez testified and claimed that Aviles had attacked him and stated that he acted in self-defense. The jury rejected this claim based on the evidence which proved that Hernandez had attempted to conceal Aviles’ body following his crime in addition to evidence that proved that Hernandez had no injuries to his body consistent with his story.

DA Zimmer commented; “Hernandez has demonstrated a clear and ongoing pattern of violence that has persisted even during incarceration. Despite his attempt to justify his actions as self-defense, the jury rightfully rejected that claim after carefully considering the evidence. This conviction will ensure that he faces the full consequences of his heinous crime.”

Sentencing is scheduled for August 14, 2026 where Hernandez faces an additional 35 years to life sentence.

07/08/2026

📚✨ When children visit our Family Justice Centers with a parent, we encourage them to choose a book to take home, offering a small source of comfort during a difficult time.

Recently, our book supply was running low, but we are incredibly grateful to the staff at the Kern County District Attorney's Office for coming together to donate to our shelves.

While taking home a book may seem like a small gesture, it can make a meaningful difference for a child. We are thankful for this support and look forward to continuing to serve children and families throughout our community. 💜

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from KCDA! ❤️🤍💙

We celebrated America’s 250th birthday with an old-fashioned Fourth of July picnic filled with great food, friendly competition, and plenty of team spirit!

🎉 Congratulations to our winners:

Battle of the Units Hot Dog Eating Contest:
🏆 Taylor Kernohan – Complaint Processing Unit

Office Door/Cubicle Decorating Contest:
🏆 Kern Regional Crime Lab Team

Co****le Tournament:
🏆 Garett Sugimoto and David Zimmerman – Crime Lab Director & Assistant Director

On behalf of the team, we wish you and your families a happy and safe Fourth of July! 🇺🇸