Nathaniel Alexander Jara (DOB 12/21/1997), Gabriel Luis Garay (DOB 07/04/1998), Robert Joseph Garay (DOB 07/20/1991)

Murder Charges Filed Against Three Defendants for Oceano Gang Shooting

Author: District Attorney
Date: 8/19/2019 4:12:40 PM

Robert Joseph Garay (28), Gabriel Luis Garay (21), and Nathaniel Alexander Jara (21) have been charged with first degree murder for the shooting death of Daniel Fuentes (41) in Oceano on April 2, 2019. All three defendants are alleged to have committed the murder in association with the Oceano 13 criminal street gang. It is further alleged that Robert Garay was the gunman.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that murder charges have been filed against three defendants for the April 2, 2019, shooting death of Oceano resident Daniel Fuentes.  Robert Joseph Garay, Gabriel Luis Garay, and Nathaniel Alexander Jara have been charged with first degree murder and enhancements alleging that they committing the murder in association with the Oceano 13 criminal street gang.  It is further alleged that Robert Garay was the gunman who personally and intentionally fired the weapon causing the death of Daniel Fuentes.  A second count alleges that all three actively participated in the Oceano 13 criminal street gang with the specific intent to assist the criminal conduct of that gang. 

The three defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday August 20, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. 

The case is being investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sherriff’s Office and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Lindsey Bittner of the District Attorney’s Gang Prosecution Unit.

It is important to remember that a criminal Complaint contains allegations that must be proven in a court of law by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of the Complaint can be found here.  A copy of the defendants’ booking photos can be accessed here.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.