A California judge ordered the release of a burglary suspect with a criminal record, and one day later, prosecutors say he fatally stabbed a 68-year-old retiree during an attempted break-in at his Martinez home.

The Sequence of Events

Marcos Iriarte-Valdez faced burglary charges from at least two prior incidents in Contra Costa County when a judge ordered his release on his own recognizance on Wednesday. The next day, prosecutors say he killed Todd Stewart, a longtime Martinez resident who had lived on his quiet street for approximately four decades. According to authorities, Iriarte-Valdez attempted to flee after Stewart discovered him in a garage, then turned and stabbed the retiree to death.

The suspect was already on pretrial release for burglaries at occupied residences from April when police arrested him Tuesday for allegedly violating home detention conditions. Despite this violation, the court released him the following day. Prosecutors have now charged Iriarte-Valdez with murder, multiple burglary counts, spousal injury, receiving stolen property, trespassing, and violating a protective order. They added special enhancements including a deadly weapon specification and committing murder while released on bail.

Federal Immigration Detainer Ignored

The Department of Homeland Security placed an immigration detainer on Iriarte-Valdez in September 2025, requesting notification before his release so federal agents could take custody. Court officials ignored this request. DHS records show Iriarte-Valdez, a Venezuelan national who also holds Spanish citizenship, entered the United States legally during the George W. Bush administration but has since been classified as an illegal alien. The department issued a sharp rebuke of sanctuary policies that prevent cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The department called on Governor Gavin Newsom to transfer the suspect to federal custody for removal from the country. DHS emphasized that sanctuary policies force immigration agents to conduct street arrests rather than safer jail transfers, increasing danger to both officers and communities. The agency noted that seven of the ten safest American cities cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Political Clash Over Responsibility

Governor Newsom’s office pushed back against federal criticism, with spokesperson Diana Crofts-Pelayo stating the suspect should face justice for the alleged crime. She argued that California law does not prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration law and that Washington has billions of dollars in resources to do its job without blaming the state for enforcement failures. The administration maintained that California takes public safety seriously while upholding its sanctuary policies.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between California’s Democratic leadership and federal immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin continues targeting what the department calls the worst criminal offenders among illegal immigrants, while state officials maintain their stance against local cooperation with federal deportation efforts.