MARION, Ind. — A man wanted for murder in California is in the Grant County Jail awaiting extradition after he was arrested, along with four other people, this week in Marion.
According to Marion Police, 32-year-old Abel Echartea was arrested Tuesday at a house on West Spencer Avenue in Marion for a deadly shooting in Fresno, California, in December 2020. Marion Police and U.S. Marshals saw Echartea leave the house just after 2 p.m. and quickly arrested him during a traffic stop.
In addition to the murder charge, Echartea was arrested on a handful of drug possession and dealing charges.
Police also arrested two women and a man, all from California, inside the house and recovered a significant amount of drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and pills.
A 7-year-old child was located in the house and is now with Child Protective Services.
Julia Ybarra, 31, Leslie Reyes, 37, and Phillip Najera, 32, were also arrested for maintaining a common nuisance. Reyes also faces the preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent.
During the Spencer Avenue investigation, detectives were led to search another Marion residence on West 1st Street Tuesday night, where they found a large amount of drugs, more than $60,000 in cash and 10 handguns.
They arrested Jessie Aispuro, 29, for possession of meth, cocaine and narcotics, all with intent to deliver, at the 1st Street residence. Aispuro is also from Fresno.
