TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — Disturbing new details unfolded in a Tulare County courtroom on Monday in the preliminary hearing for two men: 51-year-old Raymond Pena, and 65-year-old Brett Minkler.
The Goshen father and grandfather were arrested in March of last year for the death and sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says the girl died in the hospital on January 16, 2024, after her family found her unresponsive.
In court, detectives testified to having five months’ worth of surveillance video, including the moments the teen was last seen moving on camera.
“At 6:06, you can see the victim lifting her hand and holding an object that appears to be her phone, a cell phone. At 6:07, the victim knocks a small fan over that is next to her person and at 6:14, you can see the victim lifting her elbows,” Detective Haro.
Investigators say Pena and Minkler had also been sexually abusing another 11-year-old girl.
She was a neighbor who would visit the home often.
“She admitted that she performed oral sex on Mr. Pena,” says Detective Haro.
The moments were believed to be seen in the home’s surveillance video.
The defense cross-examined Detective Haro and questioned the video.
They also pointed out their last interaction.
Deputies say they got a call from a young girl at the residence having a hard time breathing, but say the suspects told deputies a girl wasn’t there.
Hours later, the men called officers back to the home after the victim was unresponsive.
The two suspects will be back in court for an arraignment on Tuesday, December 2.
