In a recent announcement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney's office, a jury found two Modesto residents, Amber Gartin, 23, and Salvador Licea Valencia, 32, guilty of the murder of Taurean Travis, 19, and Julian Sisk, 20. The decision followed what the office described as a "combined 14 weeks of trial."
The incident in question dates back to December 21, 2021, when Modesto officers were called to Thrasher Avenue due to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Travis, already succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, and Sisk, found in the driveway of the residence with similar fatal injuries. The crime scene also unveiled a substantial illegal marijuana cultivation with hundreds of plants and a processing setup complete with firearms and ammunition. The District Attorney's office reported that a video surveillance system captured Valencia using an AK-style rifle to execute the victims, with Gartin present and appearing to encourage at least one of the shootings.
Two days later, deputies conducted a high-risk vehicle stop involving the suspects. Upon apprehension, Valencia was accused of using one of his children as a human shield during a high-speed chase following an attempt to deceive deputies with Gartin complicit in the actions. After the chase, which resulted in several collisions and minor injuries to Valencia’s children, deputies eventually captured him on foot.
The investigation into the murders was led by the Modesto Police Department, with Deputy District Attorney Patrick Hogan and Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Dannica Molina prosecuting the case. The convictions mean that both Gartin, and Valencia are now facing life sentences. For further details and media inquiries, the District Attorney's office directs communication to [email protected].
