Suspect pleads guilty to kidnapping in murder case

BARSTOW • One suspect in a homicide case struck a plea agreement with authorities for her role in the alleged kidnapping and murder of a San Bernardino man whose body was found in Barstow in June.

Celina Sanchez, a 20-year-old from Riverside, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of kidnapping and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, according to a Barstow police report. Sanchez was arrested on Dec. 18 and was also charged with murder, which was dropped after the plea. She will receive four years in state prison, the report stated.

Sanchez was alleged to have assisted Dudzai Prosper Pswatai and Jeffrey Berrouet, who police believe planned to kidnap and rob 24-year-old Robert Mastrangelo in a drug deal.

Mastrangelo’s body was found shot several times in a remote area of Outlet Center Drive on June 14. Barstow Police detectives believe that Berrouet and Pswatai kidnapped Mastrangelo and first took him to the Sanchez’s home in the Pedley area of Riverside County, according to the report.

Investigators believe Sanchez knowingly provided the other two suspects with her car to transport Mastrangelo and a bathrobe belt that was used to restrain him. The tie, found later binding Mastrangelo’s feet, led police to charge Sanchez with use of a deadly weapon, according to the report.

Mastrangelo was beaten and tortured by Berrouet and Pswatai while he was trapped in Sanchez’s garage, the report stated.

Pswatai was arrested in July and faces murder and kidnapping charges. He is currently in custody and awaiting trial.

Berrouet remains at large, with recent information indicating that he may be in the San Bernardino City or Riverside County areas, according to the report.

Deputy District Attorney Shannon L. Faherty said she could not comment on Sanchez’s plea agreement as the case is ongoing.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Keith Libby at 760-255-5134. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call the WE TIP Hotline at 1-800-78-Crime.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or
cnguyen@desertdispatch.com