Two men are facing life sentences without the possibility of parole following convictions in a significant dual trial.
Yesterday, a Kern County jury found Gabriel Prieto guilty of the First-Degree Murder of Emanuel Gonzalez, that occurred on July 29, 2024, at Georgetown and Field Street in Lamont.
On June 5, 2026, a separate jury also found Romieo Narvaez guilty of the First-Degree Murder of Emanuel Gonzalez. Both juries found true the special circumstance killing during the commission of a robbery.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy DA Eric Smith.
On July 29, 2024, Kern County Sheriff Deputies responded to Lamont, California regarding an initial report of a driver pinned inside his vehicle following a crash into a semi-truck. When deputies arrived on scene, they observed Emanuel Gonzalez seated in the driver seat, face covered in blood, with an apparent wound to his forehead. Detectives observed cannabis THC vape pen boxes on the front passenger floorboard and center console, and a clear plastic bag with spilled marijuana buds on the floorboard of the driver’s side.
An investigation was initiated. Detectives reviewed the victim’s phone messages and calls and observed contact immediately prior to the homicide between the victim and a Snapchat account that was created by Prieto that same night. The messages narrated a scheduled meeting for the victim to sell marijuana. Surveillance footage obtained from the area depicted Romieo Narvaez with a sweatshirt tied tightly around his face, walking with Gabriel Prieto. Prieto is then seen walking over to the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle, shooting the victim, and taking marijuana from the vehicle, with Narvaez as his accomplice.
DA Zimmer commented; “Prieto and Narvaez carried out a sophisticated crime, luring the victim with the intent not only to rob him, but ultimately to take his life. This verdict reflects the thorough work of investigators and prosecutors, who pursued justice to ensure that these dangerous individuals live the rest of their lives behind bars.”
Sentencing is scheduled for June 22nd and August 6, 2026.
