Police release new photo of accused child killer
Web Producer: David Rush
TUCSON (KGUN-TV) - Several days after a 9 On Your Side investigation revealed the violent past and a picture of suspected child killer Alvin Valenzuela, Tucson Police released a new photo of the suspect.
This one taken shortly after police arrested and charged him with the murder of 7 year old Johnathan Federico. The first grader was gunned down early Saturday morning at a family friend's apartment.
The photo was released by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Tucson Police told KGUN9 News a computer problem kept them from releasing the mug shot earlier.
The newest picture was taken nearly 4 years after Valenzuela, 21, posed for another mug shot. This one from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center in Gallup New Mexico where Valenzuela spent 3 and a half years for aggravated assault.
A 9 On Your Side investigation tracked down the photo and court records from the case. According to documents, Tohono O'odham Nation tribal police arrested Valenzuela in July of 2007. Two men were shot and killed and Valenzuela was charged with 8 counts including aggravated assault.
Aggravated assault is the highest felony the tribe is able to prosecute. Anything higher needs to go through the federal court system. The U.S. Attorney's refused to charge Valenzuela with murder because documents show, there wasn't enough evidence.
The tribal court sentenced him 3 and half years in jail. He was released from the New Mexico jail in March. One month later, he's sitting in a Pima County Jail cell accused of murder.
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