DA: Modesto man gets 15 years in prison in 2020 fatal shooting of another man

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office has reported that a Modesto man has pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the November 2020 fatal shooting of another man and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Alexander Steven Valenzuela Sr., 41, was convicted and sentenced to prison Oct. 26 in Stanislaus County Superior Court, according to a DA news release issued last week.

Valenzuela received 11 years for manslaughter and a four-year enhancement for the use of a firearm in the death of Modesto resident Jose Manuel Rivera, Jr.

The release provided this summary:

Valenzuela drove to a Modesto house on Nov. 30, 2020, to confront someone he believed had committed domestic violence against a former girlfriend. Rivera also drove to the house for the same reason. Both men had armed themselves with firearms.

Authorities later learned the two men had a prior dispute over Rivera selling drugs in Valenzuela’s territory.

“Rivera was already there when Valenzuela arrived,” according to the release. “Witnesses saw Valenzuela get out of his car and begin shooting while walking toward the house. Several rounds struck and killed Rivera. Valenzuela then fled in his car. Officers found a gun next to Rivera that had been fired once.“

Valenzuela had been charged with murder but “witness and other evidentiary issues led to Valenzuela pleading no contest ... .”

This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 7:00 AM.