Joaquin Escoto Faces 3 Murder Counts in Modesto Killings as ICE Revives Detainer

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 2

Three first-degree murder counts were filed against Joaquin Escoto, 28, over the stabbing deaths of a 2-week-old baby, the infant’s 23-year-old mother and 54-year-old grandmother in Modesto.
Prosecutors also added special-circumstance allegations for multiple victims, a knife enhancement, child-abuse and child-endangerment counts tied to the couple’s surviving 3-year-old child.
Escoto appeared in Stanislaus County Superior Court in shackles, remained jailed without bail and is due back in court on July 28.
DHS said Escoto, a Mexican national previously deported after entering illegally in 2018, was released after a June 2025 DUI arrest despite an ICE detainer and has now been targeted with a new detainer.
The case has widened into a fight over California sanctuary policies, with federal officials arguing local authorities could have prevented the killings by transferring Escoto to ICE custody.

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How can communities balance federal immigration law with local public safety priorities when the two systems are in conflict?