Press Release: Second Arrest Made in Murder of Person Found Buried Along Pajaro River Levee
DATE/TIME: 7/14/25 at 5:30 PM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Second Person Arrested for Murder of Person Who Was Found Buried Along the Pajaro River Levee
LOCATION: Watsonville, California
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander 831-261-5492 rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
A second suspect has been arrested for the murder of Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa, whose body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee on April 10th, 2025.
On July 14th, 2025, around 9:30 AM, Watsonville Police Department officers arrested 51-year-old Jorge Javier SanchezTorres of Watsonville after Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detectives had obtained a Ramey warrant for his arrest. He was arrested in the area of W. Beach Street and Walker Street in Watsonville.
The arrest of SanchezTorres follows the arrest of 61-year-old Bernardino Rickie Sanchez of Pajaro who was arrested on July 11th, 2025, and has also been charged for the murder of Jesús Alfonso Duarte Figueroa. Bernardino Sanchez was already being held in the Monterey County Jail on unrelated charges. Jorge SanchezTorres has been booked into the Monterey County Jail for Murder and Conspiracy to commit murder.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives were investigating this case after victim Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa’s body was found buried along the Pajaro River levee on April 10th, 2025. A forensic examination of his body led detectives to investigate his death as a homicide.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said, “Detectives have been working hard to find the person that was responsible for this murder. Their investigation revealed that more than one suspect was involved. Today’s arrest shows our detectives commitment to finding those responsible for committing serious crimes in Monterey County. Our thoughts are with the family of Jesus Alfonso Duarte Figueroa’s family.”
Detectives received numerous tips from members of the Pajaro and Watsonville communities, including members of the unhoused community. “We wish to extend our thanks to the Watsonville Police Department and to all who assisted in providing information that led to these arrests and have helped to make our communities safer,” stated Sheriff Nieto.
Detectives are still actively investigating this case. We continue to ask anyone with information that may be related to this incident, to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Geng at 831-253-6029 or Detective Sergeant James Day at 831-597-0065. Information can be provided anonymously.