A California judge released a criminal suspect facing burglary charges on Wednesday, and the next day prosecutors say he murdered a 68-year-old retiree during an attempted break-in at his Martinez home. The Department of Homeland Security had placed an immigration detainer on the suspect and is now demanding California turn him over to federal authorities for removal from the country.
Death Following Release Decision
Marcos Iriarte-Valdez stands accused of fatally stabbing Todd Stewart, who had lived on his quiet Martinez street for approximately four decades. Prosecutors say Iriarte-Valdez attempted to flee after Stewart discovered him inside a garage, then turned and attacked the homeowner with a knife. The Contra Costa County judge had ordered Iriarte-Valdez released on his own recognizance just one day earlier, despite his facing multiple burglary charges from incidents in April involving occupied residences.
At the time of his release, Iriarte-Valdez was already on pretrial release for the April burglary cases. He was arrested Tuesday for allegedly violating home detention conditions, appeared before a judge Wednesday, and was released hours before Stewart’s death Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security had issued an immigration detainer on the suspect in September 2025, requesting notification before any release from custody.
Criminal History and Federal Response
Prosecutors charged Iriarte-Valdez with murder, three counts of burglary, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, receiving stolen property, trespassing, entering a non-commercial dwelling, and loitering. He also faces a prior conviction for violating a court-ordered protective order. Three special enhancements were added: a circumstance that murder occurred during or immediately after burglary, personal use of a deadly weapon, and committing the offense while released on bail or own recognizance.
The suspect, originally from Venezuela with reported Spanish citizenship, was legally admitted to the United States during the George W. Bush administration but has since been classified as an illegal alien. DHS officials stated that the safest method to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens involves lodging arrest detainers, but sanctuary policies prevent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Community Impact and Official Statements
A homeowner targeted during the April burglary spree expressed shock at the release decision. The man told a local affiliate that his 83-year-old wife saw Iriarte-Valdez’s reflection and screamed, causing the intruder to flee. He questioned the judge’s discretion but said he could not argue with the decision. DHS issued a strong statement calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom to turn the suspect over to federal authorities rather than release him from jail.
Federal officials emphasized that sanctuary policies prioritize politics over public safety, leading to preventable crimes and innocent victims. The agency noted that seven of the ten safest cities in America cooperate with immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin continues targeting what officials describe as the worst criminal offenders among illegal aliens.
Sources
Fox News: Illegal immigrant charged with brutal slaying one day after California judge released him
The judge that let Iriante-Valdez go should be held in prison until dead he knew Valdez was a violent criminal and Valdez killed a homeowner hours after being released. If given to the federal government Valdez should be executed with a knife the same weapon he used on the homeowner.
Totally agree!
Judges should be held accountable for their flagrant Lack of responsibility to the people they were supposed to protect.
That judge should LOSE his right to be a judge and held accountable for what that criminal did!
I think if the judge or court releases a criminal and he commits a crime then the judge should be charged and sentenced for the same crime.
And when they are this violent then homeland security should shoot them on site.
That Jackass judge needs to be named and held accountable. The legal system and it’s officials in California are more corrupt than anywhere else! Most are biased, DEI type, appointed under educated losers, and they endanger everyone’s safety with their activism and dangerous rulings!
Disbar this idiot judge IMMEDIATELY and remove the twit from the bench ASAP!!! Then, once disbarred… arrest him/her/it and ship them off to a prison in the deep south!
Name this Judge who should be charged & disbarred!! All these activists judges do is against American citizens!!
There was no history of violence. The judge follow protocol and the law.
No history? Attempting to burglarize occupied homes is violence.
A Dad was recently convicted for not preventing his son for murdering people at school in Georgia. This judge should face the same consequences.
The result of this crackpot judge’s action resulted in a death and the blood rests entirely on that judge. But, hey, this is California and, therefore, the judge’s action and the resulting murder shouldn’t surprise anyone.
That judge should be stabbed to death
Who ever wrote this story , name the horrible murder loving judge. Why are you protecting this despicable person? The public needs to know the identity of this judge. Why are these judges appointed for a life term? They should only service a max. 6 year term!
State and local Criminal Court Judges are not appointed for life. Only Federal Court Judges have lifetime appointments. All State Judges are on fix term.