Retrial Underway In Case Of Camarillo Man Charged With Crimes Against Child And 2 Elderly Women

Wednesday April 10, 2024

     Update--A retrial is getting underway in the case of a Camarillo man accused of crimes against a little girl and two elderly women.

     Back in February, a jury had been picked and opening statements and testimony finally gotten underway in the trial of 28-year-old Joel Gonzales.

     Then on March 4th, with the jury not there, the judge suddenly granted the defense request for a mistrial citing scheduling issues.

     Gonzales of Camarillo is charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of a six-year-old girl who he is alleged to have tried to strangle.

     He is also charged with the sexual assault of two women in their 80’s and 90’s in the Camarillo assisted living facility where he had worked as a caretaker.

     Prosecutors allege that the crimes happened within days of each other in mid October of 2020.

     On Tuesday jury selection began in the retrial and it will continue Wednesday.

     Meanwhile Gonzales remains in the Ventura County Jail without bail.