{"id":41988,"date":"2026-08-13T00:45:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=41988"},"modified":"2026-08-13T00:45:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:45:41","slug":"california-judge-freed-illegal-immigrant-day-before-murder-in-martinez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=41988","title":{"rendered":"California judge freed illegal immigrant day before murder in Martinez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div data-layout-index=\"4\" class=\"featured featured-video video-ct\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"contain\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">  <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"info\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<div class=\"caption\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<h4 class=\"title\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6403276918112\" data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_featured-video_5_1\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">DHS demands California hand over illegal immigrant accused of killing retiree<\/a><\/h4>\n<p data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">Fox News senior national correspondent William La Jeunesse reports on a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, Marcos Herate Valdez, facing murder charges in the fatal stabbing of 68-year-old Todd Stewart in the Bay Area. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to turn the suspect over to federal authorities after court officials released him the day prior to the attack.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">A California judge in the Bay Area released an illegal immigrant who had been in custody on burglary charges one day before prosecutors say he murdered a 68-year-old retiree in his Martinez neighborhood.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">Marcos Iriarte-Valdez had a prior criminal record and was facing burglary charges stemming from at least two incidents elsewhere in Contra Costa County, just east of <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191229\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/san-francisco\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">San Francisco<\/a>, when a judge in the Democratic-majority county ordered him released.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital it placed an immigration detainer on Iriarte-Valdez on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2025.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Valdezusper is charged with murder, inflicting corporal injury on spouse, three counts of burglary, receiving known stolen property, trespassing, entering non-commercial dwelling, loitering, as well as convicted of violation of court ordered protective order,&#8221; the department said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191230\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/florida-congressman-moves-impeach-judge-ordered-convicted-cuban-plane-hijacker-freed-ice\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN MOVES TO IMPEACH JUDGE WHO ORDERED CONVICTED CUBAN PLANE HIJACKER FREED FROM ICE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/343\/192\/judges-gavel-legal-books-themis-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/686\/384\/judges-gavel-legal-books-themis-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/672\/378\/judges-gavel-legal-books-themis-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1344\/756\/judges-gavel-legal-books-themis-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1200\/675\/judges-gavel-legal-books-themis-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"A gavel, legal books, and a statue of Themis on a judge's desk.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>A gavel, legal books, and a statue of Themis are displayed on a judge&#8217;s desk.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;CA Governor [<a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191231\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/gavin-newsom\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Gavin Newsom<\/a>] must not release this murderer from jail and turn him over to us so we can REMOVE him from our nation,&#8221; the department later tweeted about Iriarte-Valdez, who is from Venezuela but reported to have Spanish citizenship.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;<a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191232\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/topic\/sanctuary-cities\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sanctuary politicians<\/a> must stop putting politics above public safety. This type of insanity leads to more crimes and more innocent victims,&#8221; DHS said in a statement to Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Iriarte-Valdez is accused of murdering 68-year-old Todd Stewart of Martinez, who had lived on his quiet street for about 40 years, during an attempted burglary, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Contra Costa prosecutors previously <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191233\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/repeat-offender-dozens-prior-charges-arrested-burglarizing-church-soros-backed-das-county\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">charged Iriarte-Valdez in connection with burglaries<\/a> at occupied residences in April. He was on pretrial release in that case when he was arrested Tuesday for allegedly violating a home-detention condition, then ordered released on his own recognizance on Wednesday, one day before Stewart was killed.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Prosecutors said Iriarte-Valdez tried to run from Stewart\u2019s residence after Stewart encountered him in a garage, then stabbed and killed him.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Fox News Digital reached out to the Martinez Police Department, Contra Costa Superior Court and District Attorney Diana Becton\u2019s office for comment.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191234\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/dem-demands-one-case-sanctuary-cities-didnt-turn-over-illegal-immigrants-dhs-provides-list\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>WATCH: DEM DEMANDS &#8216;ONE CASE&#8217; WHERE SANCTUARY CITIES DIDN&#8217;T TURN OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS; DHS PROVIDES LIST<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">DHS said Iriarte-Valdez was legally admitted to the U.S. during the George W. Bush administration but has since been classified as an &#8220;illegal alien.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for clarification.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The safest way to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets is by lodging arrest detainers. Because <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191236\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/dem-demands-one-case-sanctuary-cities-didnt-turn-over-illegal-immigrants-dhs-provides-list\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">sanctuary cities<\/a> refuse to work with ICE law enforcement, criminal illegal aliens are released from jails into American communities to perpetuate more crimes. 7 of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE,&#8221; a DHS spokesperson said, adding that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin continues to target the &#8220;worst of the worst.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">A homeowner targeted by Iriarte-Valdez in his April alleged burglary spree expressed shock that the man had been released.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191237\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/dominican-migrant-deportation-order-wanted-murder-home-country-freed-biden-appointed-judge\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>FEDS ADMIT FAILURE TO DISCLOSE MURDER WARRANT TO JUDGE WHO ORDERED RELEASE OF DOMINICAN MIGRANT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/343\/192\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/686\/384\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/672\/378\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/1344\/756\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/1200\/675\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 14: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents detain an immigrant on October 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. ICE agents said the immigrant, a legal resident with a Green Card, was a convicted criminal and member of the Alabama Street Gang in the Canoga Park area. ICE builds deportation cases against thousands of immigrants living in the United States. Green Card holders are also vulnerable to deportation if convicted of certain crimes. The number of ICE detentions and deportations from California has dropped since the state passed the Trust Act in October 2013, which set limits on California state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. (Photo by John Moore\/Getty Images)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents detain an immigrant on October 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Moore\/Getty Images)<\/span> <!----><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The homeowner told <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191238\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ktvu.com\/news\/martinez-stabbing-death-orinda-burglary-suspect\" rel=\"noopener\">FOX\u2019s San Francisco affiliate<\/a> that his 83-year-old wife saw Iriarte-Valdez\u2019 reflection and screamed, &#8220;and I think he took off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_3191239\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/newsletters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;The judge uses his discretion or her discretion, I don&#8217;t know who the judge was &#8211; so, you know, who am I to argue?&#8221; the man said of the unnamed judge who released Iriarte-Valdez last week.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Iriarte-Valdez is being held without bail and is scheduled to be in court Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom for comment.<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, worked in both the New York and Washington bureaus for Fox News since 2013.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DHS demands California hand over illegal immigrant accused of killing retiree Fox News senior national correspondent William La Jeunesse reports on a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, Marcos Herate Valdez, facing murder charges in the fatal stabbing of 68-year-old Todd Stewart in the Bay Area. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement calling on Gov. Gavin&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41989,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ice-raids-latino-6.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41988\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}