Department of Corrections Advocates for Reduced Sentence of Career Criminal, Superior Court Grants Request
Today in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, the court granted re-sentencing for Hector Salazar, age 39, for the 2013 home invasion of a Ducor residence.
On May 29, 2013, Salazar and two men entered the home of a Ducor man. Upon entering, they pummeled the victim and restrained his arms, legs, and vision with duct tape. The victim later advised law enforcement that he felt an alleged gun pressed to his head while the men demanded money. After about 40 minutes, the victim, thinking the men had left after rummaging the home, freed himself to assess what was taken. The men, however, were still present. Now covered with a blanket, the victim again felt what he believed was a gun to his head. After a few more minutes, the men left in the victim’s truck. Salazar pleaded to first-degree robbery with the special enhancement that he possessed a prior serious or violent felony.
In 2015, Salazar was sentenced to 9 years in prison plus 5 years for the special enhancement. At today’s hearing, the court struck the enhancement at the behest of the Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Office of the District Attorney strongly objected. On May 9, 2022, the CDCR Secretary sent a letter to the Tulare County Superior Court advocating striking the enhancement based on “inmate Salazar’s commitment offense and in-prison conduct.” The new re-sentencing laws in AB 1540, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021, permits courts, among other things, to strike prior felony enhancements and reduce sentence lengths.
Prior to his 2015 conviction, Salazar has been convicted of seven felonies including burglary, receiving stolen property, stealing a car, petty theft with a prior, and residential burglary. In both 2010 and 2011, Salazar was returned to custody for parole violations.
“Glaringly absent from legislation that has permitted this violent and habitual criminal to receive a new sentence is, once again, the voice of victims,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “Truth in sentencing has been eroded in recent years by the Governor and reckless policies of law makers in Sacramento. Today’s action adds CDCR to the growing list of entities in California that are reducing victim’s voices to mere whispers.”
Prior to this action, Salazar’s earliest parole date was September 2024. He currently remains in custody awaiting implementation of his reduced sentence.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494