Juan Manuel Enciso Castillo, aged 41, tragically lost his life on August 13, 2017, in Menifee, California. He was one of the victims in a double homicide that also claimed the life of Roberto Enciso Castillo, aged 45. The incident occurred at a residence on Waldon Road, where both men were found dead from gunshot wounds. The authorities were alerted to the scene just before 11 p.m., and the investigation quickly identified Jesus Sanchez Ponce, aged 39, of Mecca, as the primary suspect in the
shootings.
Jesus Sanchez Ponce was charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Juan and Roberto Enciso Castillo. Despite the charges, Ponce remained at large following the incident. He was last seen driving a brown 2007 GMC Sierra pickup truck with a California license plate. Law enforcement officials described him as armed and dangerous, urging the public to provide any information on his whereabouts to aid in his capture.
In addition to Ponce, Gustavo Perez Iturriaga, aged 43, of North Shore, was arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact. Iturriaga was accused of aiding Ponce in concealing the crime, although the specific details of his involvement were not disclosed. He was taken into custody on Avenue 70 in Mecca and held on a $500,000 bail. Iturriaga pleaded not guilty to the charges and was scheduled for a felony settlement conference.
The double homicide shocked the Menifee community, prompting a thorough investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Despite extensive efforts, Ponce remained elusive, and authorities continued to seek leads to bring him to justice. The case highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending suspects who manage to evade capture, and it underscored the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
