Ojai Man Sentenced for Killing of Friend
By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Cameron Scott Lykins (DOB 11/02/95), of Ojai, was sentenced to 18 years prison for the death of Houston Auer. Lykins previously pled guilty on April 19, 2024, to one count of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that he used a deadly weapon and had strike priors.
On May 12, 2019, Lykins bludgeoned Mr. Auer with a sledgehammer. The killing happened in Mr. Auer’s bedroom at his grandmother’s home, in Ojai. Lykins then exited the residence through the bedroom window, dragging Mr. Auer’s body with him. After dumping Mr. Auer’s body in the Angeles National Forest, Lykins fled to his mother’s home in Lone Pine, where he was ultimately taken into custody by deputies with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies transported him to Ventura where he was booked and charged with the murder of Mr. Auer.
Mr. Auer’s body was found on June 23, 2019, by a Department of Fish and Wildlife warden who was patrolling a road in the Angeles National Forest.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Harman and Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer prosecuted the case.
“The true tragedy of this case is that Houston Auer is gone, and nothing can bring him back,” Mr. Harman said. “Today’s sentencing holds the defendant accountable for what the people could prove and will keep him off the street for a significant amount of time.”
Case: 2019015468
Defendant Information:
Cameron Scott Lykins (DOB 11/02/95)
Ojai
Charges pled to:
- PC 192(a) – Voluntary Manslaughter
Special Allegations
- PC 12022(b)(1) – Use of deadly weapon
- PC 667S2 – Prior Strike
- PC 1170(h)(3) – Prior serious or violent felony
- PC 667(a)(1) – Serious felony prior
