Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release,  Case #13HF2731/13CF2980: October 10, 2013

TWO MEN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR THE MURDER OF ONE WOMAN AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FEMALE BYSTANDER

SANTA ANA – Two men will be arraigned tomorrow for the murder of one woman and attempted murder of a female bystander. Jaime Prieto Rocha, 40, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Co-defendant Irvin Tellez, 25, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count each of murder and attempted murder, with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and great bodily injury. If convicted, Tellez faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison.

The defendants are in custody on $1 million bail and are scheduled for arraignment tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

Rocha is accused of being friends with Tellez and 28-year-old Nancy H.

After midnight on Sept. 2, 2013, Rocha and Tellez are accused of driving into a Santa Ana neighborhood, with Nancy H. in the backseat. Rocha is accused of driving the vehicle. The defendants are accused of spotting an unknown woman, 31-year-old Elizabeth G., who was standing outside on the curb waiting for a friend to pick her up. The defendants are accused of engaging Elizabeth G. in a conversation and Tellez is accused of pulling out a 9mm firearm and shooting Elizabeth G. in the face. The defendants are accused of driving away and fleeing the scene. Tellez is accused of turning his firearm on Nancy H. and shooting her in the face. Nancy H. slumped onto the back floorboards still alive. Tellez is accused of shooting Nancy H. in the face a second time, murdering the victim.

The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) responded to sounds of gunshots reported. Elizabeth G. was immediately transported to a hospital. She survived the gunshot wound.

The defendants are accused of driving to the City of Newport Beach to dispose of Nancy H.’s body. Rocha and Tellez are accused of dumping the body somewhere near the Newport Bay Bridge off Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

Early on Sept. 2, 2013, Rocha is accused of driving south toward Oceanside. He is accused of calling a company to request towing. Shortly thereafter, Oceanside Police Department officers arrested Rocha.

On the morning of Sept. 2, 2013, the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) found Nancy H.’s body underneath the Newport Bay Bridge.

NBPD and SAPD investigated this case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

###

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

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

Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486