Oxnard, CA – A California man has admitted to a months-long crime spree that included murder, assaults on elderly victims, robberies, and sexual offenses, bringing a violent chapter in Ventura County to a close.
Jacob Saldivar, now 23, pleaded guilty on Monday to 12 felonies, including murder, robbery, sodomy, and residential burglary, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Saldivar was 16 going on 17 when he carried out the string of crimes between April and June of 2019.
Murder in Oxnard Parking Lot
Saldivar admitted to killing 34-year-old Charles Barber on June 24, 2019, in a parking lot of an apartment complex in Oxnard, about 60 miles west of Los Angeles.
“Barber collapsed inside the complex and subsequently died from multiple stab wounds, including one that penetrated his brain,” prosecutors said.
The attack occurred after a confrontation, leaving Barber dead from the violent stabbing.
Assaults and Robberies Targeting Teens
Before and after the murder, Saldivar committed multiple robberies and assaults. He targeted teenagers walking home from school or stores, stealing phones, cash, and jewelry, while physically assaulting some, sending victims to the hospital for treatment.
Elderly Victims Attacked
Saldivar’s rampage also included attacks on older adults. Hours after Barber’s murder, he robbed a 75-year-old man in a Home Depot parking lot, taking several necklaces — one of which contained the wedding ring of the victim’s deceased wife.
Additionally, roughly two weeks prior to the murder, Saldivar attacked an 82-year-old man, breaking his jaw and leaving the victim with lasting memory issues.
Sexual Assaults at Motel
On June 27, 2019, Saldivar lured two young girls to a motel, providing Xanax to one before engaging in unlawful sexual acts, according to prosecutors. Later that day, he posed for selfies with a firearm and aggressively pounded on motel doors, which led authorities to his capture.
Tried as an Adult Despite Being a Minor
Although Saldivar was a minor at the time, prosecutors pursued charges in adult court due to the severity of his crimes. His plea means he now faces 33 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 7, 2025.
Community Impact and Closure
The plea brings some closure to Ventura County residents who were affected by the violent and unpredictable crime spree. The case highlights the dangers of escalating juvenile criminal activity and the complexities of trying minors as adults in cases of extreme violence.
Saldivar’s crimes caused lasting trauma for both young and elderly victims, leaving a mark on the community and sparking conversations about youth crime prevention and public safety measures.
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