Joaquin Escoto, a 28-year-old Mexican national accused of a brutal triple homicide in Modesto, California, appeared in court displaying an apparent smirk as victims' families looked on. Prosecutors have charged Escoto with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of 23-year-old Fabiola Gonzalez-Nunez, her 2-week-old son Mateo Gonzalez, and 54-year-old Sylvia Nunez-Villalobos. He also faces special allegations including multiple victims and child abuse. Escoto has a history of illegal re-entry into the U.S. after a previous deportation and multiple arrests, including four DUIs. Federal officials criticized California's sanctuary policies, suggesting the tragedy could have been prevented if local authorities had cooperated with ICE after a prior DUI arrest in 2025, when a detainer was lodged against him. Escoto is being held without bail and is scheduled for his next court appearance on July 28.