| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF2301 September 17, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
FATHER AND SON CHARGED FOR MURDERING MAN AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER ANOTHER DURING HUMAN TRAFFICKING EXCHANGE IN 2000
*Son arrested in Oregon today and will be extradited; father arrested while in federal prison while serving a sentence in Kern County on an unrelated case
SANTA ANA – A father and his son were arrested today for murdering and attempting to murder two human traffickers in 2000. The father was completing a federal prison sentence in Kern County and was about to be deported. The son was arrested while in custody in Clakamas County, OR, on an unrelated driving under the influence charge.
Huber Juarez Vasquez, who will be turning 37 years old this Saturday, and his father Manuel Hernandez Juarez, 58, are both charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and a sentencing enhancement for both charges for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or injury. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum sentence of 67 years to life in state prison. Vasquez will be extradited to California at an undetermined future date. Juarez was transported from federal prison Sept. 16, 2009. Each defendant is being held on $1 million bail. The Orange County court date is to be determined.
On April 6, 2000, Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) homicide detectives responded to investigate a murder at a Burger King located at 1241 W. 17th Street in Santa Ana. The shooting victims were involved in smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States from Mexico in exchange for money. Among several other immigrants, the victims were transporting Vasquez. Instead of paying the arranged fee, Juarez is accused of arming Vasquez. Juarez is accused of shooting and murdering Victor Camacho. Vasquez is accused of attempting to murder Jose Luz Garcia. Garcia was shot in the abdomen but survived. Juarez was identified and arrested by detectives. Charges were not filed at that time and Juarez was released pending additional investigation and evidence.
SAPD Cold Case detectives conducted additional follow-up investigation on the case, which included fingerprint analysis and witness interviews. SAPD detectives learned Juarez had been in federal custody for several years on unrelated charges and was due to be released on Sept. 16, 2009. SAPD detectives were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Juarez and Vasquez for murder. On Sept. 16, 2009, Juarez was arrested for the murder as he was being released from federal custody and was brought back to Orange County. Vasquez was located and arrested the same day in Oregon. The U.S. Marshals Service from Santa Ana and Oregon as well as the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement from Bakersfield assisted in the arrest. He is awaiting extradition proceedings to bring him back to Orange County.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Larry Yellin of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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