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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: murder

Suspect in 1992 Irvine Homicide extradited to the O.C. from Mexico

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Leonardo Pimentel-Sanchez

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NEWS

Suspect in 1992 Homicide Extradited to Orange County

SANTA ANA, California – (July 24, 2013) – Leonardo Pimentel-Sanchez, a fugitive who eluded law
enforcement for more than 20 years, was returned to Orange County on Tuesday, July 23, from Mexico City
where he had been held since his arrest in Tijuana on November 16, 2012.

Pimentel-Sanchez is a suspect in the murder of Cari Ann Parnes who was discovered deceased in an
orange grove in Irvine on March 26, 1992. Parnes’ cause of death was attributed to a skull fracture due to
blunt force trauma to the head. Continue reading→

Gang banger to be arraigned for murdering a 14-year old rival gang member

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Armando Carachure

Armando Andres Carachure

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF2054: July 11, 2013

SANTA ANA CRIMINAL STREET GANG MEMBER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR UNPROVOKED MURDER OF 14-YEAR-OLD RIVAL GANG MEMBER

SANTA ANA – A member of a criminal street gang will be arraigned tomorrow for the unprovoked murder of a 14-year-old rival gang member. Armando Andres Carachure, 25, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder committed for a criminal street gang purpose and one felony count of street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and criminal street gang activity. Carachure has two prior prison convictions for buying or receiving stolen goods in 2006 and battery in 2007. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The special circumstances in this case make Carachure eligible for the death penalty, and the District Attorney will make this determination at a later date. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment tomorrow, July 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Immigrant father convicted for killing a man who attacked his daughter

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, immigration, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Cesar Gerardo Marta

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2948: July 2, 2013

FATHER CONVICTED OF MURDERING MAN IN RETALIATION FOR PHYSICAL ALTERCATION BETWEEN DAUGHTER AND VICTIM

SANTA ANA – A father was convicted today of the murder of a Santa Ana man after becoming angry over a physical altercation that occurred one month prior between his daughter and the victim. Cesar Gerardo Marta, 41, Omaha, NE, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of second degree murder and has a 1993 prior strike conviction for robbery. He faces a maximum sentence of 35 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Aug. 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 26, 2010, 27-year-old Cesar “Danny” Gutierrez Hernandez left his Santa Ana home with his brother and a friend to give the friend a ride home. As the three men walked toward their car, Marta and an unknown accomplice approached the group and asked if one of them was Danny. The defendant sought out Hernandez with the intention of retaliating against him for a physical altercation between the victim and Marta’s daughter one month earlier. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man charged with killing neighbor by shooting him in the face

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Robert Joseph Price

Robert Joseph Price

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # TBA” June 25, 2013

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDERING NEIGHBOR BY SHOOTING HIM IN FACE

WESTMINSTER – A man has been charged with murdering his neighbor by shooting him in the face. Robert Joseph Price, 52, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Price is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to be arraigned today, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. at the West Justice Center, Westminster. The Department is to be determined. Continue reading→

Body of a Santa Ana man found in a trash can on Brea Canyon Road

Posted on by Posted in Brea, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Jose Ramiro Baez Paredes

Picture courtesy of the California DMV

Police on Saturday identified the body found in a trash can in Brea as a 46-year-old man from Santa Ana.  Jose Ramiro Baez Paredes, also known as Ramiro Baez Parades, was found dead Friday after a driver stopped to look inside a trash can along a remote stretch of Brea Canyon Road south of Tonner Canyon, according to the O.C. Register.

A motorist noticed the container on the south side of the street, just south of Tonner Canyon Road, for more than a week and decided yesterday to check it out, according to CBS News.

The driver stopped to look inside a trash can, saw what appeared to be human hands and immediately contacted the police at 3:08 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Times. Continue reading→

Parole denied for Santa Ana man who beat an infant girl to death in 1994

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release: June 13, 2013

PAROLE DENIED FIVE YEARS FOR INMATE CONVICTED OF BEATING-MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND’S INFANT DAUGHTER IN 1994

SANTA ANA –The Board of Parole Hearings (Board), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation denied parole for five years today for a man convicted of beating and murdering an infant child in 1994. Celerino Ochoa, 36, formerly of Santa Ana, is currently being held at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Ochoa was sentenced Jan. 19, 1996, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty by jury of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney David Brent. Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Odwald appeared at today’s hearing to oppose Ochoa’s parole. Continue reading→

OCDA opposing the parole of Santa Ana man who beat an infant girl to death

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OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release
For Immediate Release: June 12, 2013

OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF INMATE CONVICTED OF 1994 BEATING-MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND’S INFANT DAUGHTER

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a man convicted of beating and murdering an infant child in 1994. Celerino Ochoa, 36, formerly of Santa Ana, is currently being held at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. Ochoa was sentenced Jan. 19, 1996, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty by jury of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney David Brent. Ochoa is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings (Board), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Continue reading→

Man sentenced to life for killing his lover with a rock and stealing his stuff

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Fuentes

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0093: June 3, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN STATE PRISON WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR MURDERING LOVER BY BEATING HIM WITH ROCK TO STEAL VICTIM’S MONEY, CAR, AND ELECTRONICS

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced Friday, May 31, 2013, to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for murdering his lover by beating him to death with a rock in order to steal the victim’s car, money, and valuables. Jose Fuentes, 26, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, March 20, 2013, of one felony count of murder with special circumstance sentencing enhancements for murder by lying in wait, murder in the commission of a robbery, and murder in the commission of a burglary. He was also found guilty of one felony count each of first degree robbery and first degree residential burglary. Continue reading→

Man sentenced for killing wife after fighting about his gambling and cheating

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Agustin Armaraz Espinoza and Marisela Espinoza

Orange County District Attorney,  Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11CF0864: June 3, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING WIFE AFTER MARITAL DISCORD OVER HIS GAMBLING AND CHEATING

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced Friday, May 31, 2013, to 25 years to life in state prison for murdering his wife after she asked him to move out of their home for gambling away $100,000 in pension money and learning of his extra-marital relationship. Agustin Armaraz Espinoza, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 27, 2013, of one felony count of first degree murder. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man found guilty of bashing his gay lover’s head in with a rock

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, LGBT, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Fuentes

A 23-year-old Santa Ana man was convicted today of bashing in his gay lover’s skull to steal his flat-screen TV, car, stereo and other valuables. “Jose Fuentes, who is scheduled to be sentenced Friday, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole,” according to the City News Service.

According to the OC District Attorney, Fuentes murdered his lover by beating him to death with a rock in order to steal the victim’s car, money, and valuables. He was found guilty of one felony count each of special circumstances murder, first degree robbery, and first degree residential burglary. The special circumstance sentencing enhancements include murder by lying in wait, murder in the commission of a robbery, and murder in the commission of a burglary.   Continue reading→

Santa Ana siblings face trial for murdering while pretending to sell fruit

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 9 Comments

Alejandro Romero and Gladys Romero

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2917: March 11, 2013

WOMAN FACES TRIAL FOR ROBBERY-MURDER OF MAN AFTER PRETENDING WITH BROTHER TO BE DOOR-TO-DOOR FRUIT SALESMEN

SANTA ANA – A woman faces a jury trial tomorrow for the robbery and murder of a Santa Ana man with her brother by gaining entry into his home by pretending to be fruit salesmen. Gladys Romero, 35, both of Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of robbery, kidnapping, and burglary with an additional sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted for killing wife who hated his gambling and cheating

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

Agustin Armaraz Espinoza and Marisela Espinoza

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2088: February 27, 2013

Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING WIFE AFTER MARITAL DISCORD OVER HIS GAMBLING AND CHEATING

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of murdering his wife after she asked him to move out of their home for gambling away $100,000 in pension money and learning of his extra-marital relationship. Agustin Armaraz Espinoza, 58, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state at his sentencing May 17, 2013, in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man killed wife when she tossed him due to gambling and cheating

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Agustin Armaraz Espinoza and Marisela Espinoza

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2088: February 20, 2013
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN FACES TRIAL FOR MURDERING WIFE AFTER MARITAL DISCORD OVER HIS GAMBLING AND CHEATING

SANTA ANA – A man faces trial today for murdering his wife after she asked him to move out of their home for gambling away $100,000 in pension money and learning of his extra-marital relationship. Agustin Armaraz Espinoza, 58, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are expected to begin this afternoon, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man gets 16 years to life for stabbing his mom’s houseguest

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Saul Jose Salazar

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2716: February 15, 2013
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718; Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STABBING-MURDER OF MOTHER’S HOUSEGUEST

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 16 years to life in state prison for murdering his mother’s houseguest by stabbing him in the chest with a pocket knife. Saul Jose Salazar, 29, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 26, 2012, of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Police identify homicide victim

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Jaime Mejia Zaragoza

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Santa Ana Police Identify Homicide Victim

 

Victim Name: Jaime Mejia Zaragoza, Resident of Santa Ana
Age: 38

Details: On 1/20/13 at 8:57 pm officers were dispatched to the parking lot of 718 E. First Street for a report of a man down, covered in blood. Upon arrival, officers found a male adult lying in the parking lot, unconscious and not breathing. Paramedics pronounced the male deceased at the scene. The male had been stabbed in the upper body. Continue reading→