Man charged with murder in woman’s death previously assaulted his mother: docs

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield man accused of killing a woman was previously convicted of attacking his mother, punching and biting her in August of last year, according to court filings.

The reports say Ricardo Valles Jr. assaulted his mother and her boyfriend at their home, inflicting visible injuries to both.

Months later, he took a plea deal and was sentenced to time served and probation, court records show.

Now Valles, who turned 40 on Thursday, faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the death of a woman found badly injured Aug. 4 and who died days later.

Family has identified her as Crystal Acevedo, 36.

Valles, who has a lengthy criminal record and served multiple stints in prison, is due back in court next week. He was arrested Aug. 8.

Reports on the murder case aren’t available yet, but Superior Court documents detailing the 2023 incident were released this week.

On the night of Aug. 21, deputies were called to a report of an assault at a home on McCord Avenue in Oildale and detained Valles. He appeared intoxicated, stumbling and slurring his speech, as he claimed he protected his mother from her boyfriend, according to the filings.

The couple told a different story.

His mother said Valles had been staying with her after being released from prison. She told deputies he drinks regularly and becomes violent.

Valles had been drinking that day and got in an argument with her boyfriend, she told deputies. Valles pushed the boyfriend and he fell, she said. She tried to separate them, but the boyfriend shoved Valles, Valles grabbed her by the hair and the three fell into the bedroom, where the two men continued to fight.

Valles’ mother told deputies she saw the boyfriend get punched repeatedly on his head. When she tried to leave, Valles grabbed her leg and pulled her down, she said according to the filings.

Finally managing to escape, she called 911 but dropped the phone and ran as Valles chased her, she told deputies. He caught her, punched her in the chest three times and bit her hand before running back to the apartment, she said.

Deputies said Valles’ mother was treated at the scene for her injuries.

The boyfriend was bleeding under his left eye, had a cut to his head and bruises to his head and neck, according to the filings.

He also said Valles was the aggressor, but told deputies the incident began with Valles assaulting the mother. He said he intervened and Valles attacked him.

“(The boyfriend) stated he did not know how many times Valles hit him and stated he did not lose consciousness but felt dazed and dizzy during the assault,” an investigator wrote in the filings.

The boyfriend said he and Valles’ mother got away and called 911. He said he feared for his life during the assault.

The couple obtained an emergency protective order barring Valles from contacting them and requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away, according to the filings.

In April, Valles pleaded no contest to assault with force likely to result in great bodily injury.

Victims of domestic violence can get help by calling the Open Door Network’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 661-327-1091 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. More resources can be found here .

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