22-year-old gang member pleads guilty to 2021 murders in Salinas

Eliazar Arellano Ayron, a 22-year-old member of the Sureño gang, has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in a Salinas court. The murders occurred on December 26, 2021, when Ayron and three accomplices ambushed two victims as they exited their vehicle in King City. The attack was premeditated, and the victims were shot multiple times. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle's license plate, leading to a search warrant at a Salinas residence linked to the crime, where one of the firearms used was found. Following the murders, Ayron fled the area but was apprehended nine months later in Groveland, a remote part of Tuolumne County. His arrest was part of a larger task force effort to track down gang-related violence. The case also involved other gang members, including Raul Lucas, who was sentenced to 58 years to life in 2022 for his role in the same incident. Ayron's guilty plea indicates a significant step in addressing gang violence in the region, as prosecutors emphasized the use of firearms for the benefit of the Sureño gang. The legal proceedings highlight the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating gang-related crimes. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 4, where he is expected to receive a sentence of 70 years to life in state prison, reflecting the severity of his actions and the impact on the community.