Watsonville police crack cold case from 2008

A cold case from 2008 has been cracked after an arrest, according to the Watsonville Police Department.

Investigators said Joshua Anthony Zepeda, 26, is being charged with the murder of Raymond Emmett Cervantes, 34, after he was stabbed multiple times on Lincoln St.

The case went cold after several months but was re-opened earlier this year based on new information, investigators said.

Watsonville police said they worked with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office to serve a no bail arrest warrant on Zepeda, who was already serving a six year prison term at Pelican Bay State Prison.

The DA said other charges have been filed against Zepeda including special allegations that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

Zepeda will be brought back to Santa Cruz County where he will face those charges. If convicted, Zepeda could face life in prison, according to prosecutors.