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Santa Barbara County DA charges Goleta double-murder suspects

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Posted at 5:02 PM, Feb 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-08 22:17:20-05

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley on Monday announced charges against three people in connection with the murder of two local college students on January 7 in Goleta.

The DA's office is charging 21-year-old Bryan Munoz and a minor, "John Doe," with the murders of Enzo Rastelli and Jasper Van Der Meulen. The suspects are being charged separately in adult and juvenile court. Munoz and the minor are accused of committing murder tied to a criminal street gang. The DA's office adds that Munoz, 24, is eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without parole. The minor, if convicted, is subject to being a ward of the court until age 25.

Munoz and 24-year-old Joshua Vega are also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery tied to a criminal street gang, according to the DA's office. Vega faces a maximum of five years in state prison if convicted.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office on Monday announced the alleged getaway car has been impounded. It is described as a black 2015 Nissan Altima recovered in the Ventura area on Friday, Feb. 5. Detectives are asking anyone who has been similarly robbed to contact the sheriff's office.

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