A Southern California couple was sentenced to prison for murdering a woman who was one of their former lovers.
Margarita Jimenez, 34, of Oxnard, and Jorge Garfia, 38, of Ventura, were convicted by a jury of murdering Yanelly Vargas, 35, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
On March 17, 2024, Oxnard Police responded to a fight outside a business near East Wooley Road and Industrial Avenue just before midnight. During the 911 call, a gunshot was heard.
Authorities said the victim, Vargas, had been lured outside of an Oxnard bar after receiving a text message from Garfias, who was her ex-boyfriend.
At the time, Jimenez said she was angry after seeing text messages and photos that gave her the impression that her boyfriend and Vargas had resumed a relationship, the Ventura County Star reported.
“I felt anger, I felt betrayed, I felt lied to,” Jimenez said in court during her testimony.
Jimenez and her boyfriend drove to the nightclub and eventually lured Vargas into her boyfriend’s truck that night.
He drove half a mile from the bar to a nearby parking lot where Jimenez claimed she wanted to learn the truth about “what was really going on” between the two of them. At some point, the discussion became heated and an argument escalated into a physical altercation.
Vargas tried to walk away from the couple, but authorities said they continued following her in their truck.
Jimenez was captured on surveillance footage exiting the truck and running after Vargas with a handgun before shooting her once in the chest. She attempted to shoot a second time, but the gun jammed. She and her boyfriend fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police found Vargas suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. She was taken to the hospital where she later died.
At the scene, investigators found a blood trail, a spent 9 mm shell casing and acrylic nails that were later matched to Jimenez at the time of her arrest. A blood-stained yellow rope was also found near the victim.
An autopsy confirmed Vargas died from a gunshot wound to the chest and had also suffered multiple blunt force injuries and signs of strangulation.
Jimenez and Garfias were arrested on April 3, 2024, and were charged with the crimes the next day.
On Sept. 5, 2025, the DA’s office announced Jimenez was convicted of first-degree murder. On Oct. 21, she was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison. Special allegations found true for Jimenez include:
- Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm
- Prior serious or violent felony
- Serious felony prior
- The crime involved great violence
- Defendant has engaged in violent conduct
- Defendant was armed with and used a weapon
- Defendant’s prior convictions as an adult are numerous or of increasing seriousness
- Defendant has served a prior term in prison
Her boyfriend, Garfias, was convicted of first-degree murder. The special allegations included that the crime involved great violence and that he took advantage of a position of trust. On Oct. 21, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
“Yanelly’s family and friends addressed the court and described their agony and how the defendants’ violent acts shattered their lives,” said Hyla Schneir, the Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “While no sentence can undo the harm caused or bring Yanelly back, we hope the court’s decision to impose the maximum sentences provides a measure of justice and a sense of closure as they continue to grieve and heal.”
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