February 6, 2024 - DELANO – Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) officials are investigating the death of incarcerated person Juan Trujillo as a homicide after he was attacked by a group of other incarcerated people on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., officers responded when Zackary Holguin, Edwin Perez, Kevin Tello, Daniel Mendivil, Javier Castaneda, Robert Toki, Kevin Barrera, and Eric Castilleja allegedly attacked Trujillo on a recreational yard.
Responding officers observed the group striking Trujillo with inmate-manufactured weapons. Staff orders to stop were ignored. Chemical agents were then used to stop the attack.
Medical staff were immediately called for assistance and determined Trujillo had multiple puncture wounds. Life-saving measures were taken, and Trujillo was transported to an outside medical facility where he was pronounced deceased by a physician at approximately 11:41 a.m.
Two of the alleged attackers were also transported to outside medical facilities where they are both in fair condition. No staff members or additional incarcerated people were injured as a result of this incident.
Movement has been limited in the yard where the incident occurred to allow the ongoing analysis by KVSP’s Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine Trujillo’s official cause of death.
Trujilo, 50, was most recently received from Los Angeles County on Feb. 14, 2008. He was sentenced to 29 years for second-degree robbery as a second striker with enhancements for use of a firearm and having a prior felony conviction of a serious offense.
Kevin Barrera, 29, was most recently admitted from Los Angeles County on Oct. 12, 2018, to serve 36 years for voluntary manslaughter, attempted second-degree murder, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, resisting/deterring an officer with threats or violence, and battery on a non-inmate.
Javier Castaneda, 37, was admitted from San Diego County on Jan. 22, 2009, to serve 24 years for attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, second-degree robbery, and second-degree burglary, with enhancements for having a prior felony conviction of a serious offense, use of a firearm, and inflicting great bodily injury. While incarcerated on Sept. 1, 2021, Castaneda was sentenced to an additional four years for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury as a second striker.
Eric Castilleja, 34, was most recently admitted from Kern County on May 11, 2007, to serve seven years, eight months for discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle at a person and criminal gang activity. He was released to parole supervision on Dec. 20, 2010. Castilleja returned from parole with a new term on Nov. 15, 2023, to serve life with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder, discharge of a firearm in an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or aircraft, second-degree robbery, and criminal gang activity, all as a third-striker, with enhancements for intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death, street gang activity, and having a prior felony conviction of a serious offense.
Zackary Holguin, 25, was most recently admitted from Riverside County on June 17, 2022, to serve 12 years and four months for assault with a deadly weapon with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and possession/ownership of a firearm by a felon or addict, all as a second striker. While incarcerated, on May 1, 2023, Holquin was sentenced to an additional eight years for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or instrument as a second striker.
Daniel Mendivil, 45, was most recently admitted from San Bernadino County on Feb. 12, 2020, to serve 11 years for assault with a deadly weapon as a second striker, with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.
Edwin Perez, 36, was admitted from Los Angeles County on Feb. 22, 2017, to serve life with the possibility of parole for carjacking and second-degree murder. While incarcerated, on Oct. 29, 2020, Perez was sentenced to an additional 22 years for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury and possession or manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner, both as a second striker. He also received an enhancement for having a prior conviction of a serious offense. On Oct. 17, 2023, Perez was sentenced to an additional four years, eight months for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or instrument and possession or manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner as a second striker.
Kevin Tello, 34, was most recently admitted from Los Angeles County on June 10, 2014, to serve 27 years for second-degree robbery with enhancements for street gang activity in commission of a violent felony and committing a new felony within five years of completing a prior prison term. While incarcerated, on March 10, 2023, Tello was sentenced to serve an additional 15 years for assault by a prisoner with any means of force likely to cause great bodily injury as a second striker, with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.
Robert Toki, 32, was first admitted from Los Angeles County on June 15, 2011, to serve five years, eight months for second-degree robbery and possession of a firearm as an ex-felon. While incarcerated, on June 14, 2012, he was sentenced to an additional four years to be served concurrently, for assault with a firearm as a second striker. He was released to parole supervision on Aug. 29, 2015. Toki returned to CDCR from parole in Los Angeles County with a new term on Feb. 2, 2018, to serve two years for attempted grand theft auto as a second striker. He was discharged to Post-Release Community Supervision on Oct. 16, 2019. Toki was most recently admitted from Kings County on Nov. 12, 2020, to serve 12 years for criminal threat to cause great bodily injury or death as a second striker, battery on a non-prisoner, and possession/manufacture of a deadly weapon by a prisoner. While incarcerated, on Oct. 29, 2020, Toki was sentenced to an additional two years, eight months for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury as a second striker, with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury. On Nov. 20, 2023, he was sentenced to serve another year for aggravated battery on a peace officer by gassing.
KVSP opened in 2005 and houses over 3,100 minimum-, medium-, and high-security custody inmates. KVSP offers academic classes and vocational programs and employs approximately 1,500 people.
Source: CDCR
