Gonzales Man Found Guilty of Felony Animal Abuse for the Killing of Gonzales High School 4-H Lambs

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced that 31-year-old Jose Jesse Marquez of Gonzales was found guilty of the following charges: felony animal abuse with an

allegation that the crime involved a deadly or dangerous weapon (four counts), felony resisting a police

officer, and felony burglary. The Honorable Jennifer O’Keefe further found true enhancements for a prior

strike conviction and numerous factors in aggravation. These convictions constitute four strike offenses

under California’s three strikes law, which directs that the defendant will face life behind bars if he commits

another strike. The defendant faces approximately 20 years and 4 months in prison when he is

sentenced on June 4, 2024.

At approximately 2:29 a.m. on February 18, 2023, the defendant rode his bicycle to the Gonzales High

School and entered the property to take a tool. He approached the barn area and stabbed multiple animals

belonging to the students. Two lambs died, one lamb survived, and one pig survived. He held down each

animal, who had been raised since birth by children at Gonzales High, repeatedly stabbed them eight to ten

times in the head and neck with such force their skulls were broken in multiple places. When contacted by

law enforcement, the defendant refused to comply with officers’ orders and threatened to commit violence

towards an officer at booking.

This case was prosecuted by the Monterey County District Attorney’s vertical prosecution unit for crimes

against animals. If you suspect animal abuse or neglect in your neighborhood, please contact the District

Attorney’s Office at 831-755-5070 or your local police department.

This case was investigated by Officers from the Gonzales Police Department, specifically Officer Miguel

Perez, Corporal Nathan Cordoba, and Sergeant Herbert Bowen. District Attorney Investigator Rebecca Ayala

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