On October 8, 2018, at approximately 12:25 a.m., the Fremont Police Department dispatch center received a 911 call from a neighbor who heard gunshots in the 43000 block of Charleston Way. The same neighbor also reported seeing a male run from a house on Charleston Way and then flee the area on a bicycle. Fremont Police officers responded and determined which house the shots originated. Officers made an emergency entry into the home and found a deceased male in a bed, later identified as Dominic Sarkar, age 56 at the time, with multiple gunshot wounds.
Over the next several months, detectives conducted interviews, reviewed community camera footage, gathered evidence, and served several search warrants during the investigation. Based on the investigation, detectives believed Mr. Sarkar was targeted because of a life insurance policy.
The life insurance policy for Mr. Sarkar listed the primary beneficiary as Maria Moore. Financial records revealed that just before the murder, Maria Moore had sent money to an individual named Marvel Salvant out of Citrus Heights. Moore and Salvant had lived together in Seaside, California, several years prior. During an interview with detectives, Moore stated she had a casual romantic relationship with Mr. Sakar. Moore also confirmed a life insurance policy had been taken out for Mr. Sakar, in which she was the primary beneficiary.
Further investigation conducted on Salvant in Sacramento County connected him to the associated vehicle seen near Mr. Sakar’s residence on the night of the murder. Additional surveillance led to detectives seeing Moore and Salvant meeting at Moore’s residence in Sunnyvale.
The investigation revealed Salvant agreed to murder Mr. Sakar, and in return, Moore would share the money she received from Mr. Sakar’s life insurance policy. Evidence showed Salvant watched Mr. Sakar, and he was lying in wait to kill Mr. Sakar. It was confirmed Salvant entered Mr. Sakar’s residence and shot Mr. Sakar to death.
On December 18, 2018, Fremont Police arrested Maria Moore, age 50, and Marvel Salvant, age 46. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Moore and Salvant with murder under special circumstances. Moore and Salvant were put on trial together. On February 7, 2022, both Moore and Salvant were found guilty of the following charges: 1st-degree murder with special enhancements for financial gain and for lying-in wait. On March 9, 2022, Salvant and Moore were both sentenced to state prison receiving life without the possibility of parole. Salvant was also sentenced to an additional 25 years pertaining to use of a firearm
Fremont Police Department hopes this verdict will bring some solace to Mr. Sakar’s family and for those who care for him. Additionally, the Fremont Police Department wants to thank the District Attorney’s Office for their work and collaboration on this case.
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