MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Authorities are painting a clearer picture of the charges and the suspect in the case of a body found on a burning couch in Berkeley County earlier this month.
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department Chief of Staff Eric Burnett said investigators continue to work to determine suspect David Antonio Calderon’s path of travel from the time he illegally entered the United States, to his attempt to claim asylum in Canada, and his eventual arrest related to murder and malicious assaults in West Virginia.
Newly acquired information indicates that Calderon has an extensive criminal history in El Salvador.
Arrests and convictions include DUI, Sexual Assault/Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and Narcotics related crimes, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
“Records obtained by investigators indicate that the accused served time in an El Salvadorian prison from January 15, 1999 until August 02, 2021,” Burnett said. “It is believed Calderon then illegally entered the United States a short time after his release from an El Salvadorian prison.”
Investigators working in cooperation with the FBI and international investigators have acquired additional information regarding the 46-year-old who is also known as David Antonio Sanchez Calderon, is “an illegal alien in the United States, originally from El Salvador.”
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department originally learned of the crime on May 6 around 7:30 p.m. after 911 calls were received for a couch on fire in a field at the 100 block of Golf Course Road just outside the city limits of Martinsburg.
“Baker Heights Company 60 responded to scene, and located a deceased body after the fire was extinguished,” according to Burnett.
Investigators believe they know who the 33-year-old victim is, but they are still awaiting results from the state Medical Examiner’s Office and the positive identification of the victim.
Calderon is currently in custody in Virginia and fighting extradition to face charges in West Virginia.
Police allege Calderon is responsible for violent attacks in Jefferson County before his arrest.
“Investigators with the Berkeley and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Departments continue to investigate this matter, along with cooperation from various other state and federal agencies, including both the Jefferson and Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices,” according to deputies.
Any information related to this crime or other agencies with similar unsolved crimes can contact our Criminal Investigations Division (Deputy J. Giangola or Sergeant T. Funk) at 304-267-7000 or forward tips to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department Online Tip Line.