Marcos Iriarte-Valdez charged with murder in California burglary

Marcos Iriarte-Valdez Martinez California immigration detainer burglary murder sanctuary state policy

Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez, a Venezuelan national and Spanish citizen, has been charged with the murder of 68-year-old Todd Stewart in Martinez, California. Prosecutors allege the killing occurred while Iriarte-Valdez was committing a residential burglary.

The incident has drawn scrutiny regarding California’s judicial and immigration policies. According to the Department of Homeland Security, an immigration detainer had been placed on Iriarte-Valdez. Reports indicate that a judge released him on his own recognizance just one day before the fatal stabbing, despite a prior criminal record involving burglary and assault.

During his arraignment, Iriarte-Valdez pleaded not guilty to murder and denied all enhancements. Judge David Goldstein ordered him held without bond, citing him as a risk to public safety. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office stated it is pursuing the case to hold the defendant accountable.

Entities

Contra Costa County · Department of Homeland Security · Gavin Newsom · Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez · Todd Stewart

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Iriarte-Valdez pleaded not guilty to murder during his arraignment. www.thesfnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Judge David Goldstein ordered Iriarte-Valdez to be held without bond, citing him as a risk to public safety. www.thesfnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Iriarte-Valdez is a Venezuelan national and a citizen of Spain. lawenforcementtoday.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Marcos Eduardo Iriarte-Valdez is charged with the murder of 68-year-old Todd Stewart. lawenforcementtoday.com · www.thesfnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Governor of California’s office stated that state law does not prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration law. lawenforcementtoday.com
[● 2 SOURCES] A judge released Iriarte-Valdez on his own recognizance one day before the murder occurred. www.thesfnews.com
[DISPUTED] The Department of Homeland Security placed an immigration detainer on Iriarte-Valdez on September 23, 2025. lawenforcementtoday.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The murder occurred while Iriarte-Valdez was committing a residential burglary in Martinez, California. www.thesfnews.com

Sources

Law Enforcement Today [lawenforcementtoday.com]

8 days ago

Fox Highlights California Illegal Who Murdered After His ICE Detainer Was Ignored [newsbusters.org]

7 days ago

Criminal Released From Prison, Strikes Again - San Francisco News [www.thesfnews.com]

7 days ago