El Cajon Murderer Sentenced to Life in Prison
Jafet Prieto receives a life sentence for the 2020 murder of Tony Montantes in El Cajon.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Violence
A judge sentenced Jafet Prieto to life in prison without parole plus 25 years to life for the 2020 murder of 41-year-old Tony Montantes. Prieto was convicted of first-degree murder following a shooting in El Cajon.
Why it matters
The conviction concludes a lengthy legal process involving allegations that Prieto lured the victim to a vehicle and shot him after feeling disrespected.
Jafet Prieto received a sentence of life without parole plus an additional 25 years to life following his conviction for first-degree murder. The proceedings took place at the El Cajon Superior Court.
The players
Jafet Prieto
He is a 34-year-old man convicted of first-degree murder for a 2020 shooting.
Tony Montantes
He was a 41-year-old victim who died after being shot twice.
El Cajon Superior Court
This is the judicial body where the murder trial and sentencing proceedings were conducted.
The details
Prosecutors alleged that Prieto used a colostomy bag to collect expended shell casings after striking the victim twice with gunfire near East Main and First streets. The defense maintained there were no witnesses and no physical evidence present at the scene.
Timeline
March 16, 2020: The victim was killed in a shooting in El Cajon.
2021: Jafet Prieto was arrested in Riverside.
October 2026: The court delivered the sentence to Jafet Prieto.
Legal Context
This sentencing follows the legal precedent set by California's special circumstance sentencing enhancements for murder. The case highlights how prosecutors utilize witness testimony from inmates to secure convictions in the absence of direct physical evidence at a crime scene.
The conclusion of this trial brings closure to a violent incident that occurred at a public intersection in El Cajon. Local residents may note that this conviction successfully removes a dangerous offender from the community after years of legal processing.
The takeaway
This case illustrates the critical role of testimonial evidence in resolving cold or complex homicide investigations. It serves as a reminder of the permanent legal consequences for perpetrators of violent crimes in the city.
Further reading
For more on local criminal proceedings, visit the Violence section.
