Man Pleads Guilty For In 2016 Kidnapping, Death Of Monterey Co. Man

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A man accused of helping to kidnap and beat a Monterey County man to death in 2016 pleaded guilty for his part of the crime on Friday, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office. In May 2016, Ronnie Cronn Jr. went missing and only parts of his body were discovered about four months later in a remote area of the Salinas Valley, according to prosecutors.

In October, 37-year-old Paulo Barccenas was arrested for his role in Cronn's death after a lengthy standoff with a sheriff's office SWAT team at the Casa Verde Inn in Monterey. During the standoff, Barccenas allegedly shot at deputies at least twice, but missed.

He was eventually shot in the chest by a deputy and hospitalized for about two months before being transferred to the Monterey County Jail, according to prosecutors. As part of his plea, Barccenas is expected to receive more than 51 years in prison. Two other people, Jeffrey Madruga and Julie McClure, were also
charged in Cronn's death.

Anyone with information is asked to call Monterey County Sheriff's Office Detective Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 759-7201 or the tip line at (888) 833-4847.

By Bay City News

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