Oxnard Man Sentenced For First-Degree Murder

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Aaron Jabezz Holmes (DOB 12/02/95), of Oxnard, was sentenced on January 12, 2026, for the 2015 first-degree murder of Angel Diaz and for assault with a firearm against another victim.

Holmes previously pleaded no contest on September 24, 2025, to first-degree murder, including the allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing death, and to assault with a firearm. He also admitted to several special allegations and aggravating factors including a prior strike.

At sentencing, and over the strong objection from prosecutors, the judge struck Holmes’ prior strike for robbery before sentencing him to 54 years to life for his crimes.

By striking the prior strike, the court reduced the amount of actual time Holmes will serve before becoming eligible for parole. Without the court’s ruling, Holmes would have been ineligible for youthful offender parole and statutory elder parole, delaying any possibility of parole until approximately age 60. As a result of this decision, Holmes will now be eligible for parole consideration at approximately age 44.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The court’s decision to strike the prior strike over our objection significantly altered the practical effect of this sentence by accelerating parole eligibility,” Ms. Pollara said.

Youthful offender parole is extended to offenders in California under the age of 26. It allows for early parole consideration based upon perceived immaturity of decision making.

On April 30, 2015, Holmes, who was 19 years old at the time, joined two adults and two minors in a violent crime spree that escalated throughout the evening. Early on, Holmes identified an individual as an enemy, demanded the driver stop the vehicle, exited, and fired a gun as the individual attempted to flee on a bicycle, striking him in the foot.

Later that evening, Holmes and a minor exited the vehicle and robbed a group of teenagers practicing a dance routine in a parking lot. Using a firearm, Holmes took a small amount of change and a cellphone.

Holmes then decided to commit another robbery. After arranging a meeting with a drug dealer who failed to appear, Holmes instead approached Angel Diaz, who was sitting in his truck outside an Oxnard donut shop. Mr. Diaz had just finished working a late shift and was eating his dinner inside his truck to avoid waking his family when he arrived home. Holmes walked up to the driver’s window and tapped on it with a loaded firearm. As Mr. Diaz attempted to escape by shifting the vehicle, Holmes fired through the window, killing him. Mr. Diaz’s truck rolled forward and crashed into the donut shop.

Holmes and the others fled the scene. Holmes later bragged about having “slumped” someone, a slang term for killing. The group continued driving, during which Holmes encouraged a minor to use a firearm to rob or kidnap a woman walking alone in a parking lot. The woman escaped into a nearby store.

During his incarceration in the Ventura County jail, Holmes committed several felonies, including attacks on two sheriff deputies. He also conspired with a family member to smuggle methamphetamine into the jail while being transported for medical treatment. Holmes pled guilty and was sentenced to three years on each of those separate cases.

Case: 2016035748

Defendant Information:

Aaron Jabezz Holmes (DOB 12/02/95)
Oxnard

Charges pled guilty to: