California Man Indicted on Murder and Sex-Crime Charges in 2019 Disappearance of Teen Victoria Marquina
A San Joaquin County criminal grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Joshua Anthony Martinez on murder and multiple sex‑crime charges in the 2019 disappearance of 16‑year‑old Victoria Marquina; Martinez is being held without bail in the San Joaquin County Jail. Prosecutors say he was in an unlawful dating relationship with Marquina when she vanished, that he admitted dropping her off in Sutter Creek, and that he fled to Mexico shortly after (he was later extradited back to the U.S.); Amador County DA Ron Freitas authorized prosecution in San Joaquin County, and both Freitas and Marquina’s mother, Blance Valencia, have urged anyone with information to come forward.
📌 Key Facts
- A San Joaquin County criminal grand jury returned a true bill indicting Joshua Anthony Martinez on murder and multiple sex-crime charges in the 2019 disappearance and death of 16-year-old Victoria Marquina.
- Martinez is being held without bail in the San Joaquin County Jail following the indictment.
- Prosecutors say Martinez was in an unlawful dating relationship with the 16-year-old when she disappeared, and he admitted dropping her off in Sutter Creek.
- Martinez fled to Mexico shortly after Marquina vanished and was later extradited back to the United States prior to his initial arrest.
- The Amador County district attorney authorized prosecution in San Joaquin County under multi-county jurisdiction statutes, and the matter was presented to a grand jury.
- San Joaquin County DA Ron Freitas and Marquina’s mother, Blance Valencia, provided emotional on-record comments about the toll of the unresolved case and urged anyone with information to come forward.
📊 Relevant Data
Between 2010 and 2022, the Hispanic/Latino population in San Joaquin County increased from 267,690 (approximately 39.1% of total population) to 341,754, representing the largest growth among racial groups.
San Joaquin County, CA population by year, race, & more | USAFacts — USAFacts
In 2020, the homicide rate for Hispanic children aged 0 to 17 was 2.2 per 100,000, compared to 1.3 for White non-Hispanic children and 9.9 for Black non-Hispanic children.
Trends in Homicide Rates for US Children Aged 0 to 17 Years, 1999 to 2020 — PMC
In 2019, approximately 60.3% of Hispanic murder victims were killed by Hispanic offenders, based on known offender data.
From 2025 to early 2026, Mexico has extradited a total of 92 high-profile criminals to the United States at the request of US authorities.
Mexico extradites 37 cartel members to US — Anadolu Ajansı
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that a San Joaquin County criminal grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Joshua Anthony Martinez on murder and multiple sex-crime charges with a minor.
- Clarifies that Martinez is already indicted and being held without bail in San Joaquin County Jail, not just arrested and charged.
- Adds that prosecutors say Martinez was in an unlawful dating relationship with the 16-year-old when she disappeared and that he admitted dropping her off in Sutter Creek.
- Details that Martinez fled to Mexico shortly after Marquina vanished and was extradited back to the U.S. before his initial arrest.
- Reports that Amador County DA authorized prosecution in San Joaquin County under multi-county jurisdictional statutes and that the case was then presented to a grand jury.
- Includes emotional on-record comments from DA Ron Freitas and Marquina’s mother, Blance Valencia, about the toll of the unresolved case and calls for anyone with information to come forward.