Yuma, AZ--Prosecutors say Elsi Valenzuela is an accomplice in the murder of a local man who was brutally beaten with a bat.
She faces five felony counts in connection to the incident including premeditated murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and dangerous instrument, conspiracy, street gang enticing others and facilitation.
Yuma County Sheriff Deputies said Valenzuela has been sitting behind bars since she was arrested April 23rd on an unrelated charge.
They said since this on-going investigation started she was one of several people arrested on warrants during searches of several homes looking for their main suspect Manuel Bustamante, who remains at large.
But the plot thickens, prosecutors said Valenzuela is Bustamante's girlfriend and she's connected to drug activity that ultimately got an innocent man killed.
State prosecutors said they believe to be a drug related crime where these individuals including Ms. Valenzuela were around attempting to obtain a large quantity of drugs.
They said the third party is a relative of Ms. Valenzuela.
YCSO said the victim 33-year old Kendall Smith was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Judge Gregory Stewart said there is a conflict of interest in the case. Stewart said a family member of the alleged victim is employed within the Yuma Justice Center. He said if the case proceeds to superior court, a judge outside of Yuma County will preside over the case.
Both Valenzuela and Jonathan Rogers Ochoa remain behind bars on one million dollars cash bond.
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