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Man sentenced to 35 years to life in prison for murder of California cheerleading coach

The man who pleaded no contest to the killing of a Salinas cheerleading coach was sentenced to prison Wednesday in a Salinas courtroom. Jacob Anthony Bustamantez, 24, was accused of shooting and killing Everett Alvarez High School cheer coach Faith Valenzuela in July 2022. He was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison. Bustamantez initially pleaded not guilty to killing Valenzuela, but agreed to a plea deal in early September and agreed to plead no contest. Faith Elizabeth Valenzuela, 29, was found unconscious in her vehicle with gunshot wounds by a police officer at Natividad Road and Lunsford Drive in Salinas. The officer said Valenzuela's car crashed into a wooden fence just off the road, prompting him to check the vehicle. The officer performed CPR on Valenzuela, but she succumbed to her injuries. Court documents indicate that Valenzuela and Bustamantez had a relationship in the past. That night, Bustamantez asked her to pick him up near downtown Salinas at 2:53 a.m. Bustamantez fled the scene and then disposed of a pair of cotton gloves, a magazine of ammunition, and a 9mm firearm that had been found on the roof of. DNA analysis later identified Bustamantez as Faith's killer. Bustamantez is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23 for a victim compensation hearing. For more coverage of the Central Coast's top stories, click here | Download our app | Download Very Local

SALINAS, Calif. –

The man who pleaded no contest to the killing of a Salinas cheerleading coach was sentenced to prison Wednesday in a Salinas courtroom.

Jacob Anthony Bustamantez, 24, was accused of shooting and killing Everett Alvarez High School cheerleader Faith Valenzuela in July 2022.

He was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison. Bustamantez initially pleaded not guilty to killing Valenzuela, but agreed to a plea deal in early September and agreed to plead no contest.

Faith Elizabeth Valenzuela, 29, was found unconscious in her vehicle with gunshot wounds by a police officer at Natividad Road and Lunsford Drive in Salinas.

The officer said Valenzuela's car crashed into a wooden fence just off the road, prompting him to check the vehicle.

The officer performed CPR on Valenzuela, but she succumbed to her injuries.

Court documents say Valenzuela and Bustamantez had a relationship in the past. That night, Bustamantez asked her to pick him up near downtown Salinas at 2:53 a.m

“Bustamantez fled the scene and then disposed of a pair of cotton gloves, a magazine of ammunition and a 9mm firearm, which was found days later on the roof of a nearby residence,” according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

DNA analysis later identified Bustamantez as Faith's killer.

Bustamantez is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23 for a victim compensation hearing.

For more coverage of the Central Coast's top stories, click here | Download our app | Download Very Local

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