By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
A Simi Valley man has been charged with multiple counts of committing lewd acts with two teenage victims, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced Monday.
Jabari Emil DeShields, 36, faces five felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, along with a special allegation that both victims were particularly vulnerable. DeShields appeared for the first time in Ventura County Superior Court, where he entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, DeShields allegedly approached two 14-year-old girls at a Simi Valley business and engaged in sexual acts with them in his van and at a nearby hotel on multiple occasions. The case came to light after an observant community member reported suspicious activity to the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD), describing how the two victims were seen exiting DeShields’ van at a local park.
On November 6, 2025, DeShields was arrested by SVPD Major Crimes detectives following an investigation that linked him to both victims.
Assistant Basketball Coach Arrested
At the time of his arrest, DeShields was employed as an assistant basketball coach at Simi Valley High School. Authorities have not released information indicating whether any students from the school were involved or affected.
Deputy District Attorney Julia McAndrew, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, has been assigned to prosecute the case.
DeShields remains in custody at Ventura County Jail with bail set at $20,000. He is scheduled to return to court for an early disposition conference on November 21, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 12.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and Simi Valley Police Department continue to investigate and urge anyone with additional information to contact SVPD detectives.
