On February 9, 2017, Michael Ballesteros was located shot to death in an orchard in the area of Comanche and Breckenridge.  Homicide detectives began an investigation into the murder of Ballesteros.  

On February 21, 2017, detectives were able to develop probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for a 17 year old male juvenile for the murder of Ballesteros.  At approximately 1830 hours, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, with the assistance of the KCSO K-9 Unit and Gang Suppression Unit, executed a search and arrest warrant at a residence in the 2700 block of La Costa St.  The 17 year old was located at the residence and arrested without incident.  He has been booked into Juvenile Hall on a no bail warrant for murder. 

This investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.