Moten: One suspect sought in Arellano homicide, SPPD asks for help
July 05, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Police Department
Santa Paula Police have identified a documented gang member as a suspect in the fatal shooting Friday shooting of an area man and a reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
According to Interim Lt. Ishmael Cordero, witnesses helped identify Jessie Moten, 19, as a suspect in the murder Friday of 24-year-old Joseph Arellano. Moten, a native of Santa Paula, is Hispanic, 5’ 8” tall, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has at least one small tattoo next to his eye as well as tattoos on his lower neck among other body areas. Cordero said Moten was last reported to have a shaved head that is also tattooed, “although we imagine he might be growing his hair in now” to alter his appearance.
Moten is on parole. He was arrested as a juvenile for an attempted homicide and spent time in the California Youth Authority, a sentence resulting from unspecified charges.
Arellano was shot multiple times June 28 at about 1:50 p.m. in front of a home in the 200 block of North 6th Street in what police believe was a gang-related attack. Arellano was pronounced dead at Ventura County Medical Center.
Arellano was inside the picket fence of a neat vintage home when he was shot; witnesses said there were two men in a vehicle and one was armed.
Cordero said Moten is wanted for questioning in the attack that police believe is the result of recent tensions flaring between gangs including the May 27 shooting of Ulises Virto, 21, a murder also believed to be gang-related. Virto was gunned down in a yard along the 400 block of Dartmouth Road - around the corner from his own home - at about 9 p.m.
Cordero said the identification of Moten as being involved in the shooting of Arellano “came together very quickly because we had people come forth who gave us enough information that we were able to put two and two together... then more witnesses came forward and collaborated that this is one of our suspects and boom!” Now the SPPD is also looking for a second suspect and trying to determine the involvement of the wanted men in the shooting.
Cordero said Arellano had been a documented gang member with a criminal past, who “was trying to get his life turned around... and he was shot in the back by cowards.”
Witnesses told police that the vehicle carrying the shooter parked away from the 6th Street house and the gunman exited. When Arellano walked up to the residence, the shooter “came out from a concealed position” and fired multiple times.
Cordero said Arellano was with his girlfriend, who not injured in the attack. He added that several of Moten’s family members are also documented as being active with area gangs.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Moten or any information related to the Virto or Arellano homicides is asked to contact the Santa Paula Police Department, 805-525-4474. If the caller would prefer to remain anonymous, they can call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 805-933-4253-1-#.
Those with information can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). The caller may remain anonymous and the call is not recorded. Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and criminal complaint against those responsible for crime.
