A Lompoc teenager charged in connection with a fatal assault earlier this month made his first appearance in Santa Maria Juvenile Court on Tuesday morning.

The 17-year-old, whose name wasn’t released due to his age, was located and taken into police custody days after officers found the victim of a fatal assault. 

At approximately 2 p.m. on July 18, officers from the Lompoc Police Department responded for a death investigation in the 400 block of North I Street. 

Officers found a man with injuries consistent with an assault and determined he had died, police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, police revealed Miguel Angel Cortez-Baez, 58, of Lompoc is the man who died due to the assault.

The preliminary investigation uncovered evidence that led officers to the crime scene on the 400 block of North G Street.

Detectives assumed responsibility for the investigation and, with the assistance of patrol officers, identified a juvenile male as a possible suspect.

During the investigation, the suspect’s residence was searched, and an extensive amount of evidence was recovered, police added.

Detectives said they had not identified a motive for the fatal assault, but were continuing to investigate the incident. 

The suspect was booked into Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall late Thursday night on suspicion of murder. 

He made his first appearance Tuesday morning before Juvenile Court Judge Kay Kuns. 

The Juvenile Court detention hearing, or first appearance, is akin to an arraignment hearing in adult court where a plea may or may not be entered on behalf of the youth.

The judge determined the defendant should remain detained in Juvenile Hall, and not released, with Kuns ticking off a number of factors including the nature of the alleged offense. 

The teen, who was represented by attorney James Askew, did not enter a plea Tuesday and will return Sept. 22 for a further first appearance. 

At the request of the defense attorney, the judge also order law enforcement officers to retain their notes from the investigation.

During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Harmon also confirmed he expects to file a motion seeking to transfer the case to adult court. 

Youths who are 16 and 17 years old who are accused of committing a serious crime may be tried as an adult, instead of in juvenile court. 

While adult court focuses on punishment for those convicted, juvenile court aims to rehabilitate young offenders.

During Tuesday’s brief appearance, the defendant also waived his right to a speedy trial through October after his attorney said he needed time to review reports related to the case.