Salinas man pleads guilty to pastor’s murder

UPDATE: 2/16/2018 4:13 p.m. A Salinas man has pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of a pastor.

After six days of jury trial, 39-year-old Servando Silva of Salinas said he’s guilty of second degree murder of Pastor Valero and an assault on his brother Fernando Silva.

“Defendant also admitted a prior strike conviction, the use of a deadly weapon used during the course of the murder and a 5 year violent prior felony enhancement,” said the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

On March 14, 2017, Silva confronted his brother while he was armed with a screwdriver.

Three hours later Silva went to Pastor Valeros home.

The DA’s Office said, “Within minutes,while the Pastor was mid-sentence stating he was “Silva’s friend and that he could help,” Silva stabbed the pastor in the neck with a drywall saw blade, puncturing his carotid artery and jugular vein.”

Pastor Valero ran back into his home where he told his wife and daughter “Serv stabbed me.” The pastor died in his home within minutes as his wife held a towel to his neck.

Salinas Police found Silva at his sisters home.

Authorities said evidence at the trial proved that Silva suffered mental delusions which motivated his attack on Pastor Valero.

Silva will serve a term of at least 38 years up to the rest of his life in prison, with no opportunity to appeal to overturn his plea and sentence.

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The man accused of stabbing to death a Salinas pastor made his first court appearance on Thursday.

Servando Silva’s hearing was short – a public defender was appointed to represent him and his probation was revoked. The 37 year old Salinas man is now facing a first degree murder charge in connection with the death of 68-year-old Pastor Herb Valero.

KION is learning more about Silva’s criminal history, which dates back to 2001. On Thursday, we went to the Monterey County Superior Court and looked up his records.

Between 2001 and 2006, there are four cases where there’s no information available in the government’s records.

In 2007, Silva pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and spent 25 days behind bars. He was also placed on probation and had his license restricted.

In January 2008, he pleaded no contest to battery, serving more jail time and ordered to attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Later that year, in June 2008, Silva was charged with presenting false identification to a peace officer and battery once again. He was ordered to attend more than two dozen anger management classes and stay away from the victim.

In February 2009, he was busted for public intoxication by Monterey police and spent three days in jail.

Fast forward three years to July 2012, when Silva pleaded guilty to setting an “unlawful fire,” and was ordered back to jail where he spent six days behind bars. He was also ordered to not use or possess alcohol.

In 2013, Silva was charged with obstructing/resisting an officer and assault. He was also ordered not to harass or annoy the victim.

One year later, in September 2014, Silva pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, causing injury to an elder and knowingly violating a protective order. Silva was sentenced to three years’ probation with conditions including not using drugs or alcohol and not having any weapons. He was also ordered to complete a yearlong domestic violence counseling program and get counseling for substance abuse. At the time of the pastor’s death, Silva was still on probation.

Now he’s facing a murder charge, after police say he stabbed Pastor Herb in the neck. He has yet to answer for that crime.