Two men from Covelo have pleaded guilty to the 2023 murder of 43-year-old Hermengildo Valencia Escalera. Iran Lee Hoaglen III, 43, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder while Lawrence Allen Joaquin, 37, pled to one charge voluntary manslaughter, a prior strike with a five-year enhancement. Investigation in October 2023 was begun after evidence of a violent crime was found at Escalera’s workplace, an illegal cannabis farm, where Joaquin and Hoaglen lived and Escalera’s remains were found in a burning vehicle. Sentences will be imposed on September 4.