Kern County Authorities Arrest Two in Connection with Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot
Kern County authorities have reportedly arrested two individuals in connection with an alleged murder-for-hire plot.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, their office was contacted by the Delano Police Department on the night of October 2 regarding an alleged murder-for-hire plot. Two Delano residents had allegedly offered to pay a supposed hitman from Bakersfield $23,000 to kill an individual in Tulare.
The “hitman” reportedly told the victim about the scheme, and both of them reported it to the Tulare Police Department. Tulare police, in turn, directed them to report the incident to the Delano Police Department, believing that the scheme had originated in their jurisidiction.
The Delano Police Department then reached out to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Office detectives conducted an undercover operation and eventually had enough evidence to arrest the two individuals accused of hatching the plot. The Sheriff’s Office identified them as Jordano Sanchez, 34, and Belisario Sanchez, 69.
As part of the investigation, detectives reportedly seized around $20,000 in cash, two AK-47-style rifles, a .22 caliber rifle, two handguns, and ammunition, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. They are being held without bail.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, additional weapons charges were later filed against Belisario, and similar charges are pending against Jordano.
