Cabrillo Village Gang Member Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that a jury found Justin A. Patino (DOB 12/08/94), of Oxnard, guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 14-year-old Joshua Burciaga on June 27, 2012.  The jury also found that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, and that Patino personally used a firearm during the commission of the murder.

Justin Patino and an associate went to Saticoy Park in Ventura on June 27, 2012, armed with revolvers and looking for rival gang members. While tagging their monikers and gang affiliation on the playground equipment and other park fixtures, they saw the victim, who was unarmed and walking through the park with a group of female friends. Believing the victim to be a rival gang member, Patino and the associate began shooting at him. The victim was struck by one or more of the initial shots, and fell to the ground. Patino and the associate walked up to the victim and shot him several more times in the head. Joshua Burciaga died at the scene. The case was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Patino’s sentencing is scheduled May 16, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 25 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Patino faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice

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