Man sentenced to 19 years for sheep slaying at Monterey County high school

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jose Marquez, 31, from Gonzales, was sentenced to 19 years and four months in prison after being found guilty of four counts of animal abuse with a knife, resisting a police officer and burglary.

The convictions will count as four strike offenses under the state’s Three Strikes Law, meaning Marquez will serve life in prison if he commits another strike.

On Feb. 18, 2023, Marquez rode his bicycle to Gonzales High School and entered the property to take a tool.