Visalia Man Convicted of Burglary, Gun Crimes
In Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, TCDA prosecutors secured convictions against Marco Gutierrez, age 34, in two separate criminal cases involving firearms.
Around midday on October 27, 2023, near Visalia, Gutierrez burst inside his neighbor’s apartment armed with a rifle. Gutierrez pointed the rifle at the two female occupants and demanded to know where the boyfriend of one of the females was hiding. After being told to leave, Gutierrez fled the scene but was contacted by law enforcement shortly after. The rifle was not recovered. While in the patrol car, Gutierrez slipped his cuffed hands from his back to his front. When deputies removed him to fix his positioning, Gutierrez attempted to flee a short distance. He continued to resist as he was placed back in the patrol car. One female stated that Gutierrez believed the boyfriend, who was not local and only met Gutierrez once briefly weeks before, was attempting to kill him.
At trial on May 29, 2024, the jury convicted Gutierrez of one count of first-degree residential burglary, two counts of assault with a firearm, and two counts of resisting arrest.
In a separate criminal case heard in a court trial, Gutierrez was found guilty on June 4, 2023, of possession of an assault rifle. Just days before the October 27 incident, on October 22, Gutierrez fell through the ceiling of his neighbor’s apartment with an assault rifle after hiding in the crawlspace between the two units. Gutierrez allegedly believed he was being pursued. Police recovered the illegally modified rifle and discovered the serial number had been filed off. Gutierrez was released on supervised own recognizance and committed the burglary and assault crimes days later with a different firearm.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2024, in Superior Court where Gutierrez faces more than 8 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Katrina Brownson.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494