Mother Of Slain Desert Hot Springs Man Speaks

Two teenagers pleaded guilty this week for their roles in the deadly June stabbing of Jose Villalobos, 23, in Desert Hot Springs.

In total, four boys have now pleaded guilty to felony assault.

Overall, seven teens have been charged and prosecuted as adults.

Three of them are still scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Their charges have also been enhanced because they are admitted gang members, and for that reason, News Channel 3 will not reveal the name of Villalobos’ mother.

“It’s my son,” said the mother. “I had him nine months in my womb.”

There isn’t a day that Villalobos’ mother doesn’t think about her son — his pictures are everywhere in the house.

Villalobos was born in El Salvador, but seeking a better life, he and his parents moved to the United States when he was 8-years-old.

“I never thought that when I brought him over to this country, they were going to take away his life,” she said. “I know we are not eternal. What hurts the most is the way they murdered my son.”

On Wednesday, Angel David Romero, 16, and Bryan Gonzalez, 17, each pleaded guilty to felony assault likely to cause great bodily injury for their parts in the stabbing.

Romero was immediately sentenced to 8-years behind bars; Gonzalez received five years.

“My consolation is that they are going to prison,” she said. “They will get into more trouble, and I know that sooner or later they will get what they deserve.”

In January, Ruben Alexander Chavez, 15, pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and being affiliated with a gang.

Samuel Manuel Vallejo, 17, pleaded guilty to the same charges.

Both received 5-year sentences.

Villalobos’ family said he was an innocent bystanter.

He was not involved in a gang himself.

He was leaving a party on June 13 in Desert Hot Springs, when he was jumped by the seven teens.

His fiancee found him in a pool of blood.

“When I see the pictures, I remember the happy moments that I lived with my son, and I’d rather see him,” she said.

The guilty teens will serve their time in a state juvenile facility until they turn 18.

They will then be transferred to an adult institution.

The final three teens are scheduled to appear in court on Monday for a preliminary hearing to determine if they should stand trial.

All three allegedly had knives and could face life in prison if convicted.