The Turlock Police Department announced yesterday that Robert Penaloza, 31, of Turlock, was sentenced to 28 years in state prison for his voluntary manslaughter conviction.

On Tuesday, August 4th, 2020, at 1:00am, Turlock Police, Turlock Fire, and American Medical Response responded to an aggravated assault in progress in the 200 block of Twentieth Century Boulevard.

Units arrived on scene and located Amythest Cortez, 27, of Gustine, suffering from a gunshot wound. They immediately began rendering aid to her and transported her to a local hospital, where she and her unborn baby later succumbed to her injuries.

Detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation, eventually identifying Penaloza as their suspect.

Through the investigation, it was learned that Penaloza had immediately fled the country to Mexico.

Mexican authorities were notified and located Penaloza. They arrested him and he was returned to the United States on Thursday, April 8th, 2021.

On Monday, June 26th, 2023, Penaloza was convicted of two counts of manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or person addicted to a narcotic, and committing a felony while on bail or release.

Penaloza was then sentenced to 28 years in state prison by The Honorable Judge Nancy Leo on Friday, August 4th.

Penaloza was remanded to the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to begin his sentence. Currently, he will be eligible for parole in July of 2040, however, that is subject to change at any time.