Man Sentenced to Life for 2016 Murder of Teen

Source: District Attorney of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that Defendant Israel Gaspar Cruz, 21 years old, will be sentenced to 26 years to life in state prison for the January 25, 2016 murder of Marcos Javier Arce Pena.

Mr. Cruz pled guilty on June 20, 2018 to one count of Penal Code section 187(a); First Degree Murder.  He also admitted that he personally used a deadly weapon, a knife, during the commission of this gang-related crime.

The Santa Maria Police Department did an excellent job investigating this case, seeking justice for the victim and his family.

Mr. Cruz will return to court on September 7, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in Dept. 8 of the Santa Maria Superior Court for sentencing.