The Imperial County Victim Witness Assistance Program provides safety

The Imperial County District Attorney explains how the program helps witnesses to crimes

IMPERIAL CAIRA, Calif. (Kima, KC) — Luis Adviento Juarez was sentenced March 13 to four years in state prison for witness intimidation and assault.

This abuse happened while he was in prison.

Juarez, who was once in the Imperial County Jail, is now in state prison after continuing to threaten to kill a witness to his crime.

Juarez was arrested for assault and robbery on August 24, 2022.

Imperial County District Attorney George Marquez says Juarez continued to threaten witnesses and contact others to do his dirty work.

“We got him with phone calls inside the prison,” says Marquez.

Thanks to the testimony of the witness, justice was done.

Marquez says she wants witnesses to feel safe when reporting a crime, and the Victim Witness Assistance Program provides just that.

“They do a number of very important things, like crisis intervention. They help them file claims so they can get help in the state of California. They help them if they need psychological counseling because of the trauma that they’ve had. experienced, get counseling.” Marquez explains.

If you witness a crime, the first thing you should do is contact your local police station.

Lt. Aaron Messick with the El Centro Police Department says they are working with witnesses and the DA’s office.

“We’re going to continue to work with them through the process, and as I said, state law requires us to let them know about the resources they have as a witness or a victim,” Messick says.

To find out more about services that can help victims and witnesses of crime, you can click here Here.