Ninth Person Arrested in Santa Maria Torture, Murder Investigation

SANTA MARIA – Police have arrested a ninth person in connection with the murder of Anthony Ibarra, 28, whose body was discovered in mid-March in the back of a U-Haul truck on a residential street in Orcutt.

Verenisa Aviles

Verenisa Castillo Aviles, 19, was arrested on Monday, April 1, on an unrelated matter. On Tuesday, law enforcement officials added murder and gang-enhancement charges related to Ibarra’s death, police said.

Aviles, of Santa Maria, was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail on a no-bail warrant.

Police discovered Ibarra’s body on March 19, but investigators believe he was killed two days before his body was found in the U-Haul truck. Investigators also believe he was tortured and stabbed to death, police said.

No motive for the slaying has been offered by police, but investigators have said that drugs and gangs played a role in the man’s murder.

Also in custody for the murder are: David Murillo Maldonado, 55, Santos Manuel Sauceda, 33,  Robert Sosa, 19, Anthony Jesus Solis, 28, Ramon Maldonado, 37, Carmen Cardenas, 28, Pedro Torres, 54, and Reyes Gonzales,  42. Gonzales is a documented street-gang member.

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has said it may seek the death penalty for several of the individuals arrested for Ibarra’s murder.

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