Today, District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar announced defendant Richard Nielson, 32, of Lodi was found guilty of first-degree murder and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death.

“Gun violence, especially against one’s own family, is unconscionable,” said District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar. “Thank you to Deputy District Attorney Alexander Henry for skillfully prosecuting this case and to San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeremy Davis for his thorough investigation.”  

On May 27, 2021, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a family member of the victim, Roger Nielson, requesting for a wellness check. Upon arrival to the scene, Sheriff’s Deputies found the victim deceased in the home. An investigation revealed he had been the victim of a homicide. The victim’s son, Richard Nielson, in violation of his probation, had fled to Mexico on May 23, 2021. With the assistance of the Mexican authorities, the U.S. Marshalls arrested the defendant in Guadalajara in early June 2021 and deported him to the United States where he was taken into custody by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. The defendant was charged with murder and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death.

The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office extends gratitude to Victim-Witness Advocates for providing services and support to the victim’s family during this very difficult time, as well as the California Department of Justice for their assistance in locating the defendant.

The defendant returns before the Honorable Judge Smalling on July 5, 2022 for sentencing.