Arrests Made in North Milpas Street Homicide

In the early morning of March 20, 2022, a homicide occurred in the 500 block of North Milpas Street. A male victim, Valentine Hernandez, a 40-year-old Port Hueneme resident was stabbed after a confrontation. Hernandez was transported to the hospital but tragically died from his wounds.

Santa Barbara Police Department Detectives worked this case tirelessly resulting in the arrest of four suspects over the course of the last three days:

• Carlos Rios Zavala, 53-year-old Santa Barbara resident. Charged with felony Murder – Bail $2,000,000. Zavala was arrested on March 22, 2022, in the 400 block of South C Street, Oxnard.

• Alejandro Mendoza Zarco, 44-year-old Santa Barbara resident. Charged with felony Conspiracy (relating to the murder) – Bail $2,000,000. Zarco was arrested on March 20, 2022, in the 1000 block of East Montecito Street, Santa Barbara.

• Leticia Munoz, 60-year-old Oxnard resident. Charged with felony Conspiracy (relating to the murder) – Bail $1,000,000. Munoz was arrested on March 22, 2022, in the 400 block of South C Street, Oxnard.

• Jesus Manuel Zavala-Zazueta, 45-year-old Port Hueneme resident. Charged with felony Conspiracy (relating to the murder) – Bail $2,000,000. Zavala-Zazueta was arrested on March 22, 2022, near the intersection of Cook and Chino Street, Santa Barbara.

Though several suspects have been arrested, this case is still under investigation and more follow-ups will be conducted. As stated in the previous release, this homicide does not appear to be gang related.