Second Teen Faces Adult Charges in Meadows Murder Case

Maricopa Police Department officers responded to the scene of a tragic incident on Dancer Lane and West Dirk Street on November 22, 2024, where 16-year-old Esteban Valenzuela was murdered.

Authorities have arrested four teenagers in connection with the case—two are being tried as adults. On November 28, a 15-year-old boy and girl were apprehended, followed by a 16-year-old boy on December 4 and a 17-year-old boy on December 17. MPD spokesperson Monica Williams confirmed the adult charges but withheld the suspects’ identities due to the ongoing investigation.

Court records indicate that 15-year-old Isaiah Bandin was arraigned in Pinal County Superior Court after being advised in juvenile court to plead not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery. The incident is believed to have occurred during a drug deal that escalated into violence.

Details from the court documents reveal that Bandin was armed while allegedly robbing 16-year-old Sergio Michael Munoz, using threats before the weapon was discharged. Bandin remains in custody on a $1 million bond, with a grand jury indicting him on December 9.

As for the second juvenile charged as an adult, their identity has not been released in the available court documents.