News Release
Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Keith Eric Cook (DOB 04/26/88), of Camarillo, was sentenced to 42 years to life in prison. Cook was convicted by a jury on July 20, 2023, of felony robbery with personal use of a firearm, false imprisonment, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. All special allegations including use of a firearm and this being Cook’s third strike, were also found to be true. The verdict was Cook’s third robbery conviction.
On November 27, 2021, at 11:00 p.m., Cook and Jason Hoyland (DOB 06/27/77), who was previously convicted and serving a 10-year prison sentence for his role in the offense, entered a smoke shop in Ventura. During the incident, Cook was carrying a Smith and Wesson pistol, while Hoyland had a replica firearm. The store owner was bound with zip ties and a customer was also ordered to sit down. Cook and Hoyland stole approximately $1,900 in cash and various merchandise from the store. Both men then made their escape to a nearby vehicle.
The store owner promptly called 911, providing a detailed description of the getaway car. The Ventura Police Department responded swiftly and located the vehicle within two minutes of the call. Officers initiated a traffic stop but Cook and Hoyland evaded arrest by fleeing into a nearby park. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office K9 units were called in, successfully locating Hoyland in nearby bushes. However, Cook was not located that night.
On November 30, 2021, Cook was arrested at a residence in Ventura. During a search of the residence, officers recovered the Smith and Wesson pistol used in the robbery.
Deputy District Attorney Craig Gardner, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, prosecuted the case.
Case: 2021030746
Defendant Information:
Keith Eric Cook (DOB 04/26/88)
Camarillo
Found Guilty of:
- PC 211 – Robbery
- PC 236 – False Imprisonment
- PC 29800(a)(1) – Unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
Special Allegations Found True:
- PC 12022.53(b) – Personal use of a firearm
- PC 12022.1(b) – Commission of a felony after released from prison
- PC 1170(h)(3) – Prior serious or violent felony
- CRC – 4.421(a)(8) – Manner in which crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism
- CRC – 4.421(a)(2) – Defendant was armed with or used a weapon at the time of the commission of the crime
- CRC – 4.421(a)(4) – Defendant induced others to participate in the commission of the crime
- CRC – 4.421(b)(1) – Defendant has engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society
- CRC – 4.421(b)(2) – Defendant’s prior convictions are numerous or of increasing seriousness
