A Venezuelan illegal immigrant with Spanish citizenship murdered a 68-year-old California retiree just one day after a Bay Area judge released him from custody on burglary charges, according to prosecutors and federal authorities.

The Fatal Attack in Martinez

Marcos Iriarte-Valdez faces murder charges in the fatal stabbing of Todd Stewart, a Martinez resident who had lived peacefully on his street for approximately 40 years. Prosecutors allege Iriarte-Valdez attempted to burglarize Stewart’s home when the homeowner confronted him in the garage. The suspect allegedly tried to flee before turning on Stewart, stabbing and killing him during the encounter on Thursday.

Contra Costa County prosecutors had previously charged Iriarte-Valdez with burglaries at occupied residences in April. Despite being on pretrial release for those cases, authorities arrested him Tuesday for violating home detention conditions. A county judge ordered his release on his own recognizance Wednesday, setting the stage for the tragedy that followed less than 24 hours later.

Federal Immigration Detainer Ignored

The Department of Homeland Security placed an immigration detainer on Iriarte-Valdez on September 23, 2025, requesting notification before his release from local custody. Court officials released him anyway. DHS confirmed the suspect entered the United States legally during the George W. Bush administration but has since been classified as an illegal alien. Federal authorities now face criticism for their inability to remove the suspect before the killing occurred.

Prosecutors charged Iriarte-Valdez with murder, spousal corporal injury, three burglary counts, receiving stolen property, trespassing, entering a non-commercial dwelling, and loitering. He also faces conviction for violating a court-ordered protective order. Three enhancements were added: a special circumstance that murder occurred during burglary, personal use of a deadly weapon, and committing the offense while released on bail.

Political Battle Over Sanctuary Policies

The Department of Homeland Security publicly called on Governor Gavin Newsom to turn the suspect over to federal authorities for removal from the country. DHS criticized sanctuary policies, stating that such political decisions put public safety at risk and lead to more innocent victims. The department noted that seven of the ten safest American cities cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, contrasting with jurisdictions that refuse collaboration.

Governor Newsom’s office pushed back against federal criticism. Chief deputy director of communications Diana Crofts-Pelayo stated that California takes public safety seriously and nothing in state law prevents federal authorities from enforcing immigration law. She characterized the situation as federal enforcement failures rather than state responsibility, noting that the federal government possesses billions of dollars and substantial resources for enforcement operations.