Seven arrests made in Visalia homicide of 15-year-old

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Visalia Police Department Chief Jason Salazar announced on Wednesday the arrest of seven suspects for their involvement in the 2020 homicide of a 15-yearold victim.

The victim was shot in Visalia’s Ruiz Park on December 13, 2020 and died as a result of his injuries seven days later. Visalia Police Department detectives continued the investigation through 2021 and 2022, before requesting the assistance of the California Department of Justice’s Special Operations Unit. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the investigation.

“While we cannot erase the pain and trauma experienced by those involved in this case, we hope that these arrests bring some level of closure for the victim’s family and to the Visalia community,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s announcement should send a strong message: Law enforcement partners statewide are working together to protect the safety of Californians and will not rest until the job is done. I thank our partners including the Visalia Police Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, and the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for their work to apprehend these suspects to face accountability.”

“The multi-agency operation on Tuesday morning leading to the arrests of seven individuals involved in the murder of 15-year-old Justin Molina in December of 2020 was the culmination of more than two years of dedication and hard work by Visalia Police Detectives who never gave up on solving this case,” said Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar. “I am grateful for their tenacity in continuing to develop leads and information and equally grateful for the assistance of the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit who offered their expertise and resources without hesitation to help solve this senseless act of violence in our community. This case is another example of the power of multiagency cooperation, collaboration and dedication of law enforcement professionals to keep our communities safe — and of their resolve to hold those who commit violent acts in our community accountable for their actions.”

Six search warrants were executed during the investigation, resulting in seven arrests and the seizure of six handguns, one shotgun, and approximately $10,000 in cash.

One person is facing murder charges as the result of the arrests. Those arrested were Antonio Castaneda, 20, Candelaria Ramos, 48, Jennifer Ruiz-castaneda, 18, Jose Ramos-castaneda, 21, Jose Patricio Ramos Jr., 51, Maria Griselda-campos, 43 and a 16-year-old male was arrested.

Antonio Castaneda was arrested on suspicion of homicide. Candelaria Ramos, Jose Ramos-castaneda, Jose Patrico Ramos Jr. and the 16-year-old were arrested on suspicion of accessory to homicide and felony conspiracy while Jennifer Ruz-castaneda was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and Maria Griselda-campos was arrested on resisting arrest.

The arrests in this matter have been referred to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal prosecution.