August 3, 2021 - The Merced County District Attorney's Office reports on Friday, July 30, 2021, Merced County Superior Court Judge Ronald Hansen sentenced Francisco Juan Alvarez to a total aggregate sentence of 82 (Eighty-Two) years to Life following his conviction of first-degree murder in violation of Penal Code Section 187(a) and Attempted Murder in violation of Penal Code sections 664/187(a). The sentence stemmed from a conviction following a two-week jury trial in which the jury found the defendant guilty of murder and found true the enhancements for personal use of a firearm which resulted in death and that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and the allegation that the defendant had previously been convicted of a serious felony or strike offense. The Defendant was also convicted of Attempted Murder in violation of Penal Code section 664/187(a) and found true the enhancements that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, the use of a car as a deadly weapon and a prior serious felony or conviction.

The jury heard evidence Joseph Michael Sanchez was murdered in a targeted, execution style killing just after midnight on May 11, 2020 in the City of Merced. Mr. Sanchez rode his bicycle near Q and 19th Streets when Mr. Alvarez confronted him and shot him.

The jury also heard evidence that Mr. Alvarez attacked a confidential witness, striking that person with a vehicle while the witness rode a bicycle on March 30, 2020 at the Gateway Motel in Merced. The confidential witness suffered a broken arm and finger as a result of the assault.

Following the May 11th homicide, officers from the Merced Police Department located Mr. Alvarez on May 13, 2020. Mr. Alvarez evaded and a vehicle pursuit ensued, at times reached speeds of 117 miles per hour. Mr. Alvarez ran several stop signs and drove on the wrong side of the road before he was ultimately apprehended. At the time of his arrest, Mr. Alvarez was illegally in possession of ammunition.

Francisco Alvarez was sentenced to 50 years to life for the Murder with the enhancements and 30 years to life for the Attempted Murder and enhancements. The Defendant was also sentenced to a consecutive term of 1 year and 4 months for his role in the evading and 8 months consecutive for a violation of probation. The Merced Police Detectives Unit diligently investigated and Deputy District Attorneys Thane Nored and Nataly Enero prosecuted this case.


Source: Merced County District Attorney's Office