Verenisa Aviles
Santa Maria police have arrested a ninth suspect in connection with the brutal slaying of Anthony Ibarra. [KCOY]
Officers arrested 19-year-old Verenisa Aviles on an outstanding warrant Monday and charged her with murder Tuesday after reviewing evidence. Aviles is the second female to be arrested in connection with the Ibarra murder.
Police also charged Aviles with gang enhancements, which could subject her to the death penalty. She is currently in Santa Barbara County being held without bail.
Detectives say gang members tortured and killed Ibarra, 28, on March 17 at a residence at 1142 West Donovan Road in Santa Maria. They later dumped Ibarra’s body in a U-Haul truck, which police found two days later in an Orcutt residential neighborhood.
According to the search warrant, the day following the murder a witness entered the home where police suspect Ibarra died. The witness saw the body of a Hispanic male lying naked on the carpet who appeared to have been beaten in the face and whose neck was cut open.
Seven of the nine suspects in the murder could face the death penalty. The other two are charged with accessory after the murder. Aviles is the only female suspect in custody who could face the death penalty.
The initial eight suspects in the case are due back in court on April 10. Aviles is not yet scheduled for a court appearance.
