A Los Angeles County emergency management official has been charged with the murder of his mother. Robert Barreras, 42, was arrested on May 7 and faces serious allegations from the District Attorney’s Office. They claim he abused his position of trust to commit the crime against Karen Lee Barreras.
Robert Barreras, who lives in Alhambra, was taken into custody just days before the charges were filed on May 9. The details surrounding his arrest remain unclear, as the Alhambra Police Department has not provided further information. The DA’s office has confirmed that the victim is indeed his mother but has chosen not to comment further on the case.
At the time of the incident, Barreras was on leave from his job, where he earned approximately $188,000 in total compensation last year. Following the charges, he has been suspended without pay, although the reasons for his leave have not been disclosed.
Currently, Barreras is being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility with a bail set at $2 million. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance on May 15.
In his role within the county’s emergency management office, Barreras was responsible for developing the technology that facilitates emergency alerts to the public via phones, radios, and television. He joined the county in 2019 and has been involved in various panels discussing the alert systems used in Los Angeles County.
This incident comes at a time when the county’s emergency alert system has faced scrutiny, particularly after failures to notify residents during recent wildfires. Although Barreras was involved in the emergency management, the county has stated that he had no operational role during the wildfire response.
As the case unfolds, many are left wondering how such a trusted official could be implicated in such a tragic event. The legal proceedings will likely draw attention as they reveal more details surrounding the circumstances of this shocking crime.