June 2, 2021 - Yesterday afternoon, a Merced County jury convicted Francisco Juan  Alvarez of first-degree murder in violation of Penal Code, Section 187(a) and found true special allegations the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang in violation of Penal Code, Section 186.22(b)(5) and with a firearm causing death in violation of Penal Code, Section 12022.53(d). 

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

The jury also heard evidence that Mr. Alvarez targeted a confidential witness, striking that person with a vehicle while the witness was riding a bicycle on March 30, 2020 at the Gateway Hotel in Merced.  The confidential witness suffered a broken arm and finger as a result of the assault.  Based upon the testimony of the confidential witness, the jury convicted Mr. Alvarez of attempted murder in violation of Penal Code, Section 664/187 with the added enhancements the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and Mr. Alvarez personally used a deadly weapon.  

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 reaching 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.  Yesterday, the jury convicted Mr. Alvarez of evading a police officer in violation of Vehicle Code, Section 2800.2 as well as being a felon in possession of ammunition in violation of Penal Code, Section 30305(a)(1).  

In  total, Mr. Alvarez was convicted on all nine counts alleged and the jury found true all enhancements.  Mr. Alvarez will appear in front of retired Merced County Superior Court Judge Ronald Hansen for sentencing on July 30, 2021.  Mr. Alvarez sustained a prior strike conviction in 2019 which was also committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.  That prior conviction will likely cause his sentence to be doubled.  As a result, Mr. Alvarez is facing a maximum determinate sentence of 17 years and 4 months, plus a maximum indeterminate sentence of 105 years to life.  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