Santa Ana gangbanger extradited from Mexico charged with multiple felonies for a 2011 murder

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

GANG MEMBER EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR 2011 MURDER OF 16-YEAR-OLD RIVAL IN SANTA ANA

*Co-defendant was arrested shortly after the murder and is awaiting trial

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A gang member who was extradited from Mexico last week is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for the 2011 murder of a 16-year-old rival in Santa Ana. Jesus Canales, 23, Santa Ana, was charged on July 25, 2011, with one felony count of special circumstances first degree murder committed for a criminal street gang purpose and one felony count of street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Dec. 13, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Juan Manuel Galvan, 25, Santa Ana, was charged on July 25, 2011, with one felony count of murder and one felony count of street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and vicarious discharge of a firearm causing death. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Feb. 2, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On July 22, 2016, Canales and Galvan are accused of being members of a criminal street gang and riding their bicycles into a rival street gang’s territory. The defendants are accused of approaching rival gang member Alberto Miller on the 300 block of East Washington Avenue in Santa Ana and instigating a brief verbal altercation. Canales is accused of taking out a firearm and shooting Miller multiple times. Both defendants are accused of fleeing the scene. Witnesses called 911 and the victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of gunshot wounds.

On July 24, 2016, Galvan was identified and arrested by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), who investigated this case. Despite diligent efforts, Canales was not located until mid-2016.

With the assistance of the US Department of Justice and State Department, a request was sent to Mexico for the arrest and extradition of Canales. A warrant was signed for Canales’ arrest in June 2016. On July 14, 2016, the defendant was arrested in Michoacán, Mexico.

On Dec. 8, 2016, Canales was extradited to the United States and SAPD detectives transported him to Orange County. The OCDA would like to recognize the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Mexican Policia Federal Ministerial team for their outstanding assistance in the location, arrest, and extradition of Canales.

The Special Prosecutions Unit of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to the apprehension and extradition of our most serious, violent, and dangerous fugitives from anywhere in the world. The majority of extradition cases involve homicide, sexual assault, gangs, major fraud, and child abduction. The OCDA partners with local law enforcement and the Department of Justice, FBI, Homeland Security, Interpol, State Department, and US Marshals in a continuous effort to prosecute fugitives, protect the public, and seek justice for victims.

Deputy District Attorney Mena Guirguis is prosecuting this case.

###

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Public Affairs Unit
Office: 714-347-8405