Moran Elkarif ARRESTED for seven felonies

Several days ago the webmaster was made aware of Moran Elkarif's arrest. He was arrested on December 4th, 2025 and as of today (December 8th, 2025) still in custody. Moran Elkarif has a bail hearing and flight risk hearing at the Ventura Superior Court, Department 12, in front of judge David Hirsch. Moran is being represented by Kevin Moghtanei of the law firm DCD law. Moghtanei is a graduate of Southwestern Law School (one of the worst in California), and practices DUI and criminal law. The People of the State of California are being represented by Deputy District Attorney Edward Andrews (Harvard undergrad and UCLA law school, sorry Moran your lawyer is outgunned). The case can be accessed on Ventura County Superior Court website here. The case number is 2024025587. The Ventura County press release about Moran's arrest is here. There are quite a few news stories covering the arrest, links to these stories are here and here.

Moran is being charged with following:

PRIMARY CHARGES

Penal Code § 182(a)(4) — Criminal Conspiracy
Felony
This section makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire together to commit theft, fraud, or another felony, even if the crime is not successfully completed. The agreement itself, plus any overt act toward completion, is sufficient.

Penal Code § 487(a) — Grand Theft
Felony
Applies when the value of money, labor, or property taken exceeds $950. This includes theft by false pretenses, embezzlement, or direct taking.


Penal Code § 484b — Theft by Embezzlement (Entrusted Property)
Felony
Covers situations where property or money is lawfully entrusted to someone (such as a contractor), and they fraudulently convert it for their own use instead of using it for its intended purpose.


Business & Professions Code § 7028(a) — Contracting Without a License
Misdemeanor (can be charged as a wobbler in some cases)
Makes it illegal for any person to act as a contractor without holding a valid California contractor’s license.


Business & Professions Code § 7159.5(a)(5) — Home Improvement Contract Violations
Misdemeanor
This section prohibits false or misleading statements in home improvement contracts, including payment terms, escrow rules, and project disclosures.


AGGRAVATING & SENTENCING ENHANCEMENTS

Penal Code § 186.11(a)(2) — Pattern of Felony Fraud (Aggravated White-Collar Crime)

Sentence Enhancement Applies when:

A pattern of felony fraud exists, AND
The total loss exceeds $100,000, AND
Two or more related felonies are involved.

This allows for:
- Asset freezes

- Extended prison sentences

- Restitution orders

- Forfeiture of fraud proceeds


Penal Code § 12022.6(a)(1) — Loss Enhancement Over $65,000

Sentence Enhancement: Adds extra prison time when the taken or lost property exceeds $65,000.


Penal Code § 12022.6(a)(2) — Loss Enhancement Over $200,000
Sentence Enhancement Applies when loss exceeds $200,000.

Penal Code § 12022.6(a)(3) — Loss Enhancement Over $1,300,000

Sentence Enhancement, Applies when loss exceeds $1.3 million.


Penal Code § 1203.045(b) — Mandatory Restitution & Sentencing in Fraud Cases

This section:
- Restricts probation eligibility
- Requires mandatory restitution

- Enables the court to impose additional financial penalties


CALIFORNIA RULES OF COURT — AGGRAVATING FACTORS (SENTENCING)

These increase exposure at sentencing:
CRC 4.421(a)(3) — Victim Vulnerability
Crime involved particularly vulnerable victims (elderly, disabled, financially dependent, etc.).

CRC 4.421(a)(4) — Multiple Victims

Crime involved multiple distinct victims.

CRC 4.421(a)(8) — Planning & Sophistication

The crime involved planning, professionalism, or sophistication, not impulsive conduct.


CRC 4.421(a)(9) — Abuse of Position of Trust

Defendant abused a position of trust or confidence (contractor-client relationship qualifies).

CRC 4.421(a)(11) — Large Monetary Loss

The crime involved a significant amount of money, beyond typical cases.

SUMMARY OF WHAT THESE CODES COLLECTIVELY ESTABLISH
Together, these charges legally allege:
- Organized conspiracy
-Systemic contractor fraud
- Grand theft & embezzlement
- Unlicensed contracting

- False contracting practices

- Pattern white-collar crime

- Losses potentially exceeding $1.3 million
- Multiple victims
- Abuse of trust
- Sophisticated organized fraud
- Mandatory restitution exposure
- Asset seizure authority
- Prison sentence enhancements