Man pleads no contest in deadly 2021 shooting
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In 2021, the wife of Bulmaro Cabezas sent nude photos of herself to a man who worked with her husband.
That man was later found shot dead in an orchard. Deputies arrested Cabezas on suspicion of murder.
Abbasi called KCSO 181 times in a month: docs
Last month, Cabezas pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 40-year-old Valentin Flores Castaneda.
He faces 21 years in prison at next month’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors said. A charge of first-degree murder was dismissed under the plea deal, court records show.
Cabezas, 37, and Castaneda both worked as irrigators for The Wonderful Company.
On June 27, 2021, a supervisor found Castaneda’s body — his chest and face covered in blood — in an orchard near an aqueduct just east of Truman Avenue and Resource Street. Shotgun shell casings were located nearby.
Detectives served a warrant on Cabezas’ phone, the GPS coordinates of which indicated he traveled from his assigned work area to the scene of the shooting on the day of the killing, according to court filings. Cabezas also called Castaneda that day, the documents say.
Cabezas had no explanation as to why his phone, which he had on him all day, placed him at the scene of the shooting, according to the filings. He said he barely knew Castaneda.
An interview with Cabezas’ wife revealed a motive. She admitted sending nude photos to Castaneda, adding she didn’t know if her husband was aware of them.
Detectives showed Cabezas messages sent between his wife and Castaneda. He denied knowing about their relationship, the filings say.
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