Defendant Convicted of Assault, Firearm Charges w/Aggravating Factors

DATE: October 5, 2022

CASE: Valintino Sanchez (Case #22FE005026)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Kristin Schlessel, Domestic Violence Unit

Valintino Sanchez was convicted by a jury of assault likely to produce great bodily injury, assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also found true that Sanchez personally used a firearm and aggravating factors that the crime involved great violence, threat of great bodily harm, or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty; Sanchez was armed with a deadly weapon; and the victim was particularly vulnerable.

The victim and Sanchez had been dating on and off since 2018. On March 22, 2022, the victim was pregnant with Sanchez’s child when she went to Sanchez’s mother’s house to pick up baby items. As the victim was walking back to her car, Sanchez showed up at the house and approached her. When the victim said something to Sanchez he didn’t like, he choked the victim until she was unable to breathe. The victim was able to get in her car to try to drive away. Sanchez then retrieved a firearm and shot at the victim’s car two times, one of which hit the rear driver’s side of the car. The victim fled and called 911.

An allegation that Sanchez has a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

Sanchez faces a maximum possible sentence of 21 years and 4 months in prison.  Sentencing is set for November 16, 2022, at 1:30 pm in Department 42 before the Honorable Allen Sumner.