Valentin Murder Arrest

OXNARD – Oxnard police arrested 31-year-old Mauricio Guzman for the murder of Jesus Valentin in May 2011.On May 27, 2011 around 10:00 PM officers responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 300 block of Cuesta Del Mar, Oxnard. Police units arrived minutes later and found the victim, later identified as Jesus Valentin, of Oxnard on the sidewalk. Valentin had suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene.According to the police report, witnesses said the suspect drove up in a pick-up truck. Guzman got out of the truck and started arguing with several people standing on the sidewalk, including the Valentin. During the argument the Guzman pulled out a gun and shot the Valentin. As the investigation into the murder continued, information was developed that identified 31-year-old Mauricio Guzman, as the suspect in this incident. In January of 2012, a warrant was obtained for Guzman’s arrest for the murder of victim Valentin. Mauricio Guzman is an admitted member of the Southside Chiques Street gang.The investigation also revealed that Guzman fled to Mexico in the days following the murder to avoid arrest. Homicide investigators worked with the Los Angeles branch of the United States Marshall Service and the United States Department of Justice, to facilitate the apprehension of Guzman in Mexico. In August of 2012, the Mexican government issued an arrest warrant for Guzman related to the Jesus Valentin Murder. Guzman was located a short time later in Tijuana, Mexico and taken into custody for this warrant. Guzman was then transported to Mexico City, Mexico where he faced extradition proceedings. On December 31, 2012, investigators were informed that Guzman was to be extradited to the United States. On January 9, 2013, with the assistance of the United States Marshall Service, Guzman was returned to the United States and booked into the Ventura County Jail for the outstanding murder warrant. His bail is currently set to $2.5 million.