Suspect in recent Modesto murder had been released from prison due to COVID
The Modesto man suspected in a fatal shooting on Monday should have been in prison but he’d been released six months early as a result of the state’s accelerated release program designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 within prisons, according to Sheriff Jeff Dirkse.
“As a law enforcement official tasked with keeping our citizen’s safe, this makes me angry,” Dirkse said in a press release.
Alexander Valenzuela, 40, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder in the death of 46-year-old Joseph Rivera.
Rivera was shot in the 600 block of Bystrum Road, near Lombardo Avenue, shortly before 11 p.m. Monday. He died later at a hospital.
“Valenzuela was not scheduled to be released until December 13, 2020,” Dirkse said. “I don’t think it is a stretch to say that this murder would have been prevented if he would have served his full sentence and not been released early due to COVID-19.”
Valenzuela was released from San Quentin in July, six months early from his 32 month prison sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm, said Sgt. Tom Letras.
He is among thousands of inmates throughout the state to be released early since April.
Valenzuela’s arrest Monday was not his first since his release from prison, Letras said.
On Aug. 7, Valenzuela was arrested on suspicion of delaying/obstructing an officer. He was released the same day because the charge is eligible for $0 bail under an emergency rule also implemented to reduce inmate population as a result of the pandemic.
“This system is failing our citizens,” said Dirkse. “Criminals should be behind bars, not released back into the public early. Many of these early release and zero-bail inmates are repeat offenders who continue to victimize law abiding citizens.”
Letras said the investigation into the homicide is ongoing so detectives would not release any additional details about the case, including a possible motive or the relationships between the victim and the suspect.
Valenzuela, who has not yet been formally charged, is now being held without bail at the Stanislaus County jail.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information on it is urged to contact Detective Kamila Sulkowski at 209-525-7032. Tips also may be provided to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips also can be submitted via www.stancrimetips.org.
This story was originally published December 3, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
