BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two men were convicted of first-degree murder and robbery-related special circumstances in the 2024 killing of 21-year-old Emanuel Gonzalez in Lamont.
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The DA’s office said that on June 8, 2026, a Kern County jury found Gabriel Prieto guilty of the first-degree murder of Emanuel Gonzalez.
The DA’s office said that on June 8, 2026, a Kern County jury found Gabriel Prieto guilty of the first-degree murder of Emanuel Gonzalez. PHOTO: Kern County DA
The DA’s office said days prior, on June 5, 2026, a separate jury also found Romieo Narvaez guilty of the first-degree murder of Gonzalez.
The DA’s office said days prior, on June 5, 2026, a separate jury also found Romieo Narvaez guilty of the first-degree murder of Gonzalez. PHOTO: Kern County DA
The murder happened on July 29, 2024, at Georgetown Avenue and Field Street in Lamont.
Both juries found true the special circumstance killing during the commission of a robbery.
The DA’s office said on July 29, 2024, KCSO deputies responded to Lamont regarding an initial report of a driver pinned inside his vehicle following a crash into a semi-truck. When deputies arrived on scene, they saw Emanuel Gonzalez seated in the driver seat, face covered in blood, with an apparent wound to his forehead, according to the DA’s office.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office said Gonzalez was 21 years old.
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The DA’s office said detectives saw cannabis THC vape pen boxes on the front passenger floorboard and center console, and a clear plastic bag with spilled marijuana buds on the floorboard of the driver’s side.
A man died after crashing into a parked truck in Lamont Monday night. PHOTO: KeyNews.TV
An investigation started. Detectives reviewed the victim’s phone messages and calls and saw contact immediately prior to the homicide between the victim and a Snapchat account that was created by Prieto that same night.
The DA’s office said the messages narrated a scheduled meeting for the victim to sell marijuana. Surveillance footage obtained from the area showed Romieo Narvaez with a sweatshirt tied tightly around his face, walking with Gabriel Prieto. Prieto is then seen walking over to the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle, shooting the victim, and taking marijuana from the vehicle, with Narvaez as his accomplice.
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented, saying, “Prieto and Narvaez carried out a sophisticated crime, luring the victim with the intent not only to rob him, but ultimately to take his life. This verdict reflects the thorough work of investigators and prosecutors, who pursued justice to ensure that these dangerous individuals live the rest of their lives behind bars.”
Their sentencing is scheduled for June 22nd and August 6, 2026. Both Gabriel Prieto and Romieo Narvaez face sentences of life without the possibility of parole.