Undocumented Immigrant Detective Charged with Murder in Botched Robbery

A detective who is an undocumented immigrant has been charged with murder after allegedly killing a retiree in the Bay Area, with new court documents suggesting the act was part of a failed robbery attempt.

Marcos Iriarte Valdez, 36 years old and from Venezuela, now faces a potential life sentence for fatally stabbing 68-year-old Todd Stewart outside Stewart’s home in Martinez last week.

Interestingly, Iriarte Valdez had just been released from prison a day prior to the incident.

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton has expressed determination to ensure accountability for this violent crime that claimed Stewart’s life, who was a father of two. Neighbors and family members are in mourning, grappling with the shock of this loss.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and the community as they deal with this terrible tragedy,” Becton remarked.

According to prosecutors, the attack took place around 5:10 p.m. on August 6, involving a knife during what was described as a residential robbery. The murder charge has three additional penalties tied to the use of a weapon and Iriarte Valdez’s conditional release status.

Surveillance footage from the scene reportedly shows Iriarte Valdez arriving at the victim’s residence in a Cadillac SUV, wearing dark jeans, a gray shirt, and a protective vest. He was seen sitting in the car before exiting and launching a violent knife assault against Stewart.

The altercation led to Stewart struggling on the ground, ultimately resulting in him collapsing as Iriarte Valdez continued the attack, even after Stewart was down, which reportedly caused the victim to cry out in pain.

Despite immediate medical attention, Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene. Police managed to arrest Iriarte Valdez later that week, using both surveillance footage and physical evidence to identify him.

During his arraignment on Wednesday at Contra Costa Superior Court, he pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. Judge David Goldstein, overseeing the session, labeled Iriarte Valdez a “danger to public safety” and held him without bail.

Iriarte Valdez is set to return to court on September 9 to schedule further hearings.

Having lived in the U.S. since 2007, he had been in legal trouble prior to this latest charge. Just a week ago, Judge Nichelle Holmes, noted for her activist stance, had released him on pre-trial conditions after he was jailed for allegedly violating the terms of his home detention related to a separate burglary case.

In a twist of timing, only around 24 hours after being released, he was charged with the murder of Stewart.

Stewart, who had been a resident of the neighborhood for over 30 years and had recently completed renovations on his home, was described by friends as “the warmest, kindest person.” One friend shared a heartfelt memory, saying, “I still can’t believe it. I look across the street and expect him to come out and wave.”

The Department of Homeland Security has recognized Iriarte Valdez as a “Venezuelan illegal alien” who committed crimes in what they termed the “sanctuary of California.” They have since requested Governor Newsom to detain him.

“[Governor Gavin Newsom], don’t release this murderer and hand him over to us for deportation,” the DHS stated in a post. They criticized what they described as “sanctuary politicians” for prioritizing politics over community safety, suggesting this leads to further crime and innocent victims.

Additionally, President Trump’s former border czar, Tom Homan, harshly criticized the governor and California’s sanctuary laws in light of Stewart’s tragic death, claiming it highlighted a prioritization of politics over public safety.