The Desert IndependentTM

Serving Blythe, California & the Desert Regions of the Southwest

Maria Paz’s Killer Captured

August 18, 2011 New

BLYTHE, Calif – At about 9:30 P.M. on August 17 Officer Scott Adams received information regarding the whereabouts of Murder suspect Jessie James Flores (see Maria Paz Shot and Killed). Officer Adams, Officer Joey Ley and Sergeant Jeff Wade responded to an apartment in the 400 block of N. Eucalyptus.

Officers contacted the renter and received permission to search for Flores. Riverside County Deputies responded to assist with the search of the apartment. Officers identified themselves prior to entering the apartment and requested that Flores give himself up. When Flores refused to come out Blythe Police Officers along with a Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy entered the apartment. Flores was located in a bedroom of the apartment and surrendered without resistance. Flores was subsequently booked into the Blythe jail for the alleged murder of Maria Paz.

On August 18 the case was reviewed by the District Attorney’s office in Indio. After the review the charges of Homicide, using a firearm in the commission of a crime, convicted felon possession of a firearm and three counts of child endangerment were filed on Flores.

The case is scheduled for arraignment on August 19. At this time we are not sure if the arraignment will be in Blythe or Indio. Bail was set at one million dollars

Persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information about this or any criminal activity is urged to contact the Blythe Police Department at (760) 922-6111. Information can be given anonymously by calling (760) 921-CARE.