John Savrnoch was elected District Attorney of Santa Barbara County in June 2022 and assumed office on January 2nd, 2023. John Savrnoch began his legal career over 30 years ago. Prior to coming to Santa Barbara County, John was a prosecutor for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office for 23 years where he represented abused children, and prosecuted insurance fraud and other serious financial crimes. For John’s last ten years in Fresno, he served in leadership roles including supervising the Financial Crimes and Consumer Protection Unit, supervising the Misdemeanor Prosecution Unit, and serving as an Assistant District Attorney. John also held the office of Chief Assistant District Attorney.
John joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in January 2015 as a Deputy District Attorney in Lompoc. He was promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney in 2016. Most recently, John served as the Assistant District Attorney, where he oversaw all South County attorneys and cases. John led the office through several major innovations and initiatives, and helped design and implement positive community programs. Throughout his career, John has worked to implement alternative justice programs designed to divert individuals from the criminal justice system and help offenders understand the consequences of their actions in order to reduce recidivism and protect public safety.
He received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1990.
Kelly is a graduate of Pepperdine University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Kelly began her career as a Deputy Attorney for the California Department of Transportation where she litigated civil cases involving allegations of dangerous conditions of public property, employment law, inverse condemnation, and eminent domain. In 2004, Kelly joined the Santa Barbara Office of County Counsel where she represented the Sheriff and District Attorney in civil rights cases and employment litigation.
Kelly was appointed to the position of Chief Deputy District Attorney in 2012 by District Attorney Joyce Dudley, and was appointed to Assistant District Attorney in 2023 by District Attorney John Savrnoch. Kelly was Santa Barbara County’s prosecutor in the successful multi-county prosecution of the Golden State Killer, who committed 13 murders and over 50 sexual assaults in 11 different jurisdictions throughout California. In 2022 Kelly successfully prosecuted a 10 defendant MS-13 gang homicide and conspiracy case involving 24 victims. This case was the largest gang trial in California’s history in terms of number of defendants and number and seriousness of charges (50 counts including homicide, attempted homicide, and gang conspiracy.)
As Assistant District Attorney, Kelly’s primary responsibilities include the administration of the office, as well as supervision of the Homicide and Gang Units in the Santa Barbara Office. She is also responsible for the office’s Brady and ethics training and policies, oversees the Officer Involved Incident Team, and established the Conviction Review Unit.
Jennifer Karapetian serves as Assistant District Attorney for Santa Barbara County. She has more than 15 years of experience with the District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases including sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, child abuse, elder abuse, and homicide.
Jennifer began her career in the Santa Maria Office in 2010, handling a range of cases from misdemeanors to felonies, including violent crimes, homicides, and gang-related offenses. She also worked in juvenile and collaborative courts and participated in programs such as juvenile restorative justice and teen court.
In 2012, she began focusing on cases involving child abuse, molestation, domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. In 2014, she served as Northern County Human Trafficking Prosecutor and participated in the Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force, prosecuting the first human trafficking trial in Santa Maria.
After transferring to the Santa Barbara Office in 2016, Jennifer continued working with vulnerable victims and became supervisor of the Vulnerable Victims Unit in 2020. Most recently, she served as Chief Deputy District Attorney, managing attorneys countywide in the Vulnerable Victims Unit, Collaborative Courts, the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program, Arraignments, and criminal filings.
As Assistant District Attorney, Jennifer’s primary responsibilities include the administration and oversight of the office, providing guidance and support to attorneys across multiple divisions, ensuring operational consistency, and maintaining the quality and effectiveness of prosecutions countywide. She also continues to mentor junior attorneys and participates in community education and outreach programs.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton, and her Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School in New York. She was recognized as the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Attorney of the Year in 2025.
Kristina Perkins was appointed to the position of Chief investigator of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in December 2021.
Kristina began her law enforcement career in 2007 as a police officer for the University of California, Santa Barbara Police Department. In 2013, Kristina began her employment at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office as an investigator where she worked assignments in the Welfare Fraud Unit, Cannabis Compliance Team, Arson, Environmental Crimes, and Consumer Fraud. In 2020, Kristina was promoted to the position of Commander of the Special Investigations Unit and Lompoc Criminal Investigative Team.
Kristina was born in Santa Barbara and raised in Ojai, CA. She attended Santa Barbara City College, California State University, San Marcos and California State University, Northridge. She possesses an Associate’s Degree in Administration of Justice, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
Chief Perkins is the first woman in the history of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office to be named Chief.
Megan Rheinschild graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara and studied at the National Autonomous University in Mexico City receiving her degree in Sociology and Spanish.
Megan has been employed in the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program since 1994 and has been the Director of the Countywide Program since 1997. She is responsible for oversight of a program whose staff annually serves over 3,500 victims of violent crime and their family members countywide.
She oversees a range of victim service programs including the Human Trafficking, Elder and Dependent Abuse Units, the Victim Compensation and Restitution Recovery Contracts with the State of California. She also has administrative oversight of the Countywide Sexual Assault ResponseTeam.
In addition to her local responsibilities, Megan is on the Board of the California Crime Victim Assistance Association and is Chair of the Statewide Training Committee.
Michael Soderman has been an integral part of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office since October 2015. He was brought on as Business Manager and has served in his current role as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer since 2017. Michael is responsible for all Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, and Legal Office Support.
Prior to joining the District Attorney’s Office, Michael served as Accounting Supervisor for the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavior Wellness. Michael’s work history also includes managerial accounting experience within the private sector. Michael’s diverse background in both sectors provides him with a unique vision to navigate the District Attorney’s Office toward innovative and effective business solutions. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing financial and administrative improvements.
Michael grew up in Santa Barbara County and moved to Northern California to attend California State University, Sacramento, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Michael feels fortunate to be able to bring his accounting and finance skill set back to his hometown where he can be a part of Santa Barbara County public service.
