Suspect in Santa Maria homicide charged with murder, faces 50 years to life if convicted

The man accused of fleeing to Mexico after shooting and killing someone in Santa Maria made his first court appearance Wednesday.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office charged Juan Hernandez with murder and personal use of a gun for the October 6th killing of Jose Gonzalez Medina near 805 Tacos.

Santa Maria police say they worked with the U.S. Marshal’s Office to find and arrest Hernandez in Mexico.

Officers say Hernandez did not resist arrest in his return to the United States.

“We were able to track the suspect to a location in Mexico and through the process of the investigation, ultimately the suspect ended up turning himself into authorities in Mexico, and he was transported to LAX on Monday where we took custody of him,” said Lt. Van Meel with the Santa Maria Police Department.

Hernandez’s bail was set at $3 million.

He faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted.

Hernandez will be back in court on November 6th.

KEYT 2019