Thousand Oaks Gang Member Admits Hate-Motivated Baseball Bat Attack After African American Victim Is Cornered and Beaten in Ventura County

A Thousand Oaks man has pleaded guilty in Ventura County Superior Court after prosecutors said he carried out a racially motivated attack on an African American man with a baseball bat.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Javier Gomez, born November 22, 2005, entered his guilty plea on April 27, 2026.

The case centered on a violent confrontation that prosecutors described as both gang-related and hate-driven.

Gomez Admits Felony Assault and Special Allegations

Gomez pleaded guilty to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon. He also admitted all aggravating factors and special allegations filed in the case.

Those admissions included a gang allegation, a hate crime allegation, and an allegation that he caused great bodily injury.

The plea means Gomez accepted responsibility not only for the assault itself, but also for the circumstances that made the crime more serious under the law.

Attack Happened on New Year’s Eve in Thousand Oaks

The assault took place on December 31, 2024, while the victim was walking toward his parked vehicle in Thousand Oaks.

According to prosecutors, Gomez, who is described as a documented gang member, was with another juvenile when they confronted the victim. The two allegedly shouted racial slurs before cornering him.

Victim Was Struck in the Head With a Baseball Bat

Prosecutors said Gomez was armed with a baseball bat and hit the victim in the forehead. He then handed the bat to the juvenile, who struck the victim again in the head.

The victim’s girlfriend called 911, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. Gomez and the juvenile were arrested shortly afterward.

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Prosecutors Say Victim Had No Gang Ties

Authorities emphasized that the victim was not associated with any gang. After the assault, he suffered cognitive and vision problems that lasted for several months.

The injuries added weight to the prosecution’s case and helped support the great bodily injury allegation admitted by Gomez.

District Attorney Praises Victim and Wife for Testifying

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the victim and his wife showed courage by testifying during the preliminary hearing and directly confronting hate.

He said the community would not tolerate hate-fueled violence or gang-related intimidation, framing the case as an important stand against both racial targeting and gang violence.

Minor Was Sentenced Separately in Juvenile Court

The juvenile involved in the attack admitted to charges and was sentenced in juvenile court.

Because that case involved a minor, fewer details were provided publicly, but prosecutors confirmed that the juvenile matter has already been resolved.

Impact and Consequences

The guilty plea gives the victim and his family a measure of accountability after an attack that prosecutors say was driven by racism and gang intimidation.

The case also reinforces how hate crime allegations can increase the seriousness of a violent assault, especially when the victim suffers lasting injuries.

For Thousand Oaks and Ventura County, the case is a reminder that hate-motivated violence can happen in any community.

It also sends a message that prosecutors are willing to pursue enhanced allegations when violence is tied to racial hostility, gang activity, or serious bodily harm.

What’s next?

Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

He is expected to receive a sentence of five years in state prison. The sentencing hearing will formally close the adult criminal case unless further legal action follows afterward.

Summary

Javier Gomez of Thousand Oaks has pleaded guilty to felony assault with a deadly weapon after prosecutors said he attacked an African American man with a baseball bat during a racially motivated confrontation on New Year’s Eve 2024.

Gomez also admitted gang, hate crime, and great bodily injury allegations.

The victim suffered cognitive and vision problems for months after being struck in the head.

Gomez is expected to be sentenced to five years in state prison on May 26, 2026.

Bulleted Takeaways:

• Javier Gomez of Thousand Oaks pleaded guilty on April 27, 2026.
• He admitted to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon.
• Gomez also admitted gang, hate crime, and great bodily injury allegations.
• The attack happened on December 31, 2024, in Thousand Oaks.
• Prosecutors said Gomez and a juvenile confronted an African American man.
• The two allegedly shouted racial slurs before cornering the victim.
• Gomez struck the victim in the forehead with a baseball bat.
• Prosecutors said the juvenile then struck the victim again in the head.
• The victim’s girlfriend called 911.
• Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and arrested Gomez and the juvenile.
• The victim suffered cognitive and vision issues for several months.
• The juvenile admitted to charges and was sentenced in juvenile court.
• Gomez is expected to be sentenced to five years in state prison.
• Sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2026, in Ventura County Superior Court.