Thousand Oaks Man Caught in Hate Crime and Bat Assault Pleads Guilty
Thousand Oaks Man Pleads Guilty to Racially Motivated Assault
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — Javier Gomez, 20, has pleaded guilty to a racially motivated felony assault involving a baseball bat attack on an African American man in Thousand Oaks. The incident, which occurred on December 31, 2024, has left the victim with lasting cognitive and vision injuries.
According to officials, Gomez and an underage accomplice confronted the victim as he approached his vehicle. Gomez, identified as a documented gang member, used racial slurs before striking the victim in the forehead with a baseball bat. He then handed the weapon to the juvenile, who struck the victim again.
On April 27, 2026, Gomez admitted to one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon in Ventura County Superior Court. He acknowledged all aggravating factors, including special allegations of gang involvement, hate crimes, and causing significant bodily injury. The victim, who has no gang affiliations, experienced serious medical complications for several months post-assault.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko commended the victim and his family for their courage throughout the prosecution process. "The victim and his wife showed tremendous courage by testifying at the preliminary hearing and confronting hate head on," Nasarenko stated. "Our community will not tolerate hate-fueled violence or gang-related intimidation."
Gomez’s sentencing is scheduled for May 26, where he is expected to receive a five-year prison sentence. The juvenile involved has already undergone sentencing in the juvenile court system.
