Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot is satisfied to announce his office has secured a 12-year sentence for Zephaniah Trevino, for the murder of Carlos Murillo and the aggravated robbery of Cristian Lobo.
“I am thankful to my team and proud of them for staying the course. They were never distracted by the media attention or public outcries trying to shift the narrative of this case, and continued, in accordance with the law, to follow the facts and evidence to see that justice was done,” Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot said.
On August 3, 2019, Carlos Murillo and Cristian Lobo were lured to an apartment on Northeast Fifth Street in Grand Prairie where the two men were beaten with guns and robbed of their belongings.
Trevino was 16 years old at the time of the incident. At the time, she was with two men, Philip Baldenegro and Jesse Martinez, who were 18 and 19, according to police.
Mr. Murillo was ultimately shot by Phillip Baldenegro and later died. Baldenegro and Jesse Martinez were arrested hours after the crime. Trevino was arrested 26 days after the offense.
According to WFAA, during the time between Trevino's arrest and eventual sentencing, her parents claimed she was a victim in the case. Back in 2020, Trevino's mother, Crystal, told WFAA that her daughter was a victim of sex trafficking.
Zephi Trevino's case garnered national attention as celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and Kim Kardashian called for her release. Kardashian helped spread a change.org petition on her Twitter account back in July 2020.
“There were only ever two victims in this case – Carlos Murillo and Cristian Lobo. My thoughts are with their families, and I pray this helps them continue to heal,” DA Creuzot added.
Trevino pled guilty and received a sentence of 12 years in prison for murder and five years in prison for aggravated robbery. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
Baldenegro and Martinez currently await trial on Capital Murder charges.
