Hector Contreras

Home After 24 years

When Hector entered prison on a life sentence, he knew that he wanted to commit his time to rehabilitation. He started participating in various self-help groups and became active in both AA and NA. Today, he can proudly say that he has been clean since 2009. His real turning point, however, came in 2012 when he finally came to understand the seriousness of the pain he had caused his victims and family over the years. Hector immersed himself in rehabilitative programming and never looked back.

On March 15, 2021, at the recommendation of San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, the court resentenced Hector and ordered his release. At 51 years old, Hector had served 24 years in prison and had 3 years-to-life remaining on his sentence. Today, Hector works in construction and lives with his family in California.

Hector Contreras lived in Mexico until he was 9 years old when his parents moved their family to California.  He had a difficult childhood marked by trauma, including physical and emotional abuse. Unable to cope with the trauma in a healthy way, Hector turned to substances as an outlet. 

In November 1996, Hector was detained by police for running a stop sign. Hector’s license was suspended and two passengers fled the scene. Police searched the vehicle and found a sawed-off shotgun that was unloaded on the rear floor. Hector was 26 years old at the time. He was soon convicted of his third strike: felon in possession of a firearm.  As a third striker, Hector was sentenced to a total term of 27 years-to-life.