Jacob Anthony Bustamantez, 24, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to using a ghost gun to murder his ex-girlfriend, a beloved cheerleading Coach, as she was driving.
Faith Elizabeth Valenzuela, 29, a cheerleading coach at Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas, was found fatally shot in a crashed car just days after revealing intentions to cut off all contact with Bustamantez.
Valenzuela was found suffering from a fatal gunshot wound inside her vehicle after crashing into a fence on July 5, 2022.
Salinas Police Department detectives determined that just before 3 a.m. on July 5, Bustamantez sent a text message to his former girlfriend asking her to pick him up in downtown Salinas and give him a ride, according to KRON4.
"Traffic cameras outlined their path of travel consistent with their return towards Faith's home. At around 3:10 a.m., while Faith was driving around Natividad Road and El Rancho Market, Bustamantez shot Faith with a 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun. This caused Faith to crash against a wooden fence just off the road," said the Monterey County District Attorney's Office in a statement.
Bustamantez allegedly fled the scene and discarded the murder weapon, which was discovered on the roof of a home nearby shortly after the murder.
"DNA forensics analysis later identified Bustamantez as Faith's killer," added the DA.
On July 7, 2022, Bustamantez was taken into custody. During interrogation, the ex-boyfriend denied having any involvement in the cheer coach's death; however, he later confessed to killing Valenzuela.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on September 4, 2024, for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend.
The victim leaves behind her 12-year-old daughter.
"Faith's bright smile and kind heart will be missed dearly," reads a GoFundMe page organized in support of the 12-year-old.
Bustamantez faces 35 years to life in prison if convicted.
He is due for sentencing on October 2.
