Kern County Man Faces Four Years in Prison for First-Degree Burglary
KERN COUNTY, CA — “Earlier this year, police responded to a residence in East Bakersfield after a 14-year-old girl reported that an unknown person was inside her home. The minor victim was hiding in her bedroom when she heard noises, believing an intruder was eating in her kitchen. Within minutes, officers responded to the residence and found a man standing inside the kitchen.
Yesterday, a Kern County jury found Mauro Nain Zepeda Gonzalez guilty of one count of First-Degree Residential Burglary. The jury also found true the special allegation that a victim was present during the burglary.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Spencer Scher.
The incident occurred on February 16, 2026, at approximately 10:40 AM. The victim said she heard Zepeda Gonzalez moving throughout the house in the kitchen, hallway and bathroom before he attempted to enter her bedroom. The victim was able to push back on her bedroom door and block entry.
Upon searching the residence, officers found the kitchen table a mess, scattered with food, beverage and condiment items. The victim told officers that there was nothing on the kitchen table when she was last in the room, five minutes prior to the incident. Zepeda Gonzalez was arrested and taken into custody.
DA Zimmer commented; ‘Everyone deserves to feel safe, especially in their own home. I am grateful for the courage of the victim who quickly reported this incident, the swift response by law enforcement, and this conviction, which will help ensure our community is safer.’
Sentencing is set for October 15, 2026. Zepeda Gonzalez faces up to four years in prison.”
