A Tucson man was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for beating a family member to death during a drunken fist fight in 2024.
Santiago Valencia Jr., 36, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter earlier this month.
Valencia expressed regret and grief at the victim’s death, who is only recognized by his initials, R.V., in court records. According to the criminal complaint, both men had been drinking prior to their argument on the evening of June 15, 2024.
Court records show that the victim was Valencia’s relative.
The argument turned physical
According to the complaint, a witness reported that Valencia seized the victim and repeatedly slammed the back of his head into a concrete windowsill outside the property. The victim was brought to Banner-University Medical Center and died the next morning.
Valencia fled the scene but was subsequently apprehended at a Tucson residence.
Valencia was also ordered to pay reparation of $3,900 to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the victim’s family member.
The case was prosecuted in federal court because the incident took place in “Indian Country” and both individuals are Pascua Yaqui Tribal members.
Leave a Comment