Rodolfo Garcia, 44, of Perris is charged with first-degree murder, four counts of armed robbery, three counts of kidnapping to commit robbery, two counts each of false imprisonment and firearm assault and one count each of burglary and carjacking.

Pretrial motions in the case wrapped up Thursday at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, where Riverside County Superior Court Judge Johnnetta Anderson ordered multiple panels of prospective jurors to appear Monday for the start of screening as to their availability and qualifications.

Garcia is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail.

His former co-defendant and friend from childhood, 34-year-old Jesus Ledesma Guzman of Lancaster, was similarly charged but was killed in a gunfight with U.S. Marshals trying to arrest him in Northern California almost eight years ago.

The men are accused of gunning down Silvano Gutierrez Esteves at his residence in February 2018.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, the pair were allegedly part of a “home invasion robbery crew” composed of about a dozen men, who wore ballistic vests and masks, wielded high-capacity rifles and waged campaigns of terror against their targets throughout Southern California.

Guzman was believed to be the ringleader and buried at least five victims around his Lancaster property, according to the brief.

Nearly seven months before the slaying of Esteves, on July 17, 2017, the crew went to a Nuevo home where illegal marijuana was grown and forced their way into the residence in the middle of the night, leveling guns at the half-dozen occupants, including three children, ages 3 to 9 years old, the trial brief alleged.

One of the intruders threatened to rape the young girl in the house unless their demands for money and other valuables were met, according to court papers. Her two male siblings were wrested away from their parents and isolated in a room separate from the adults, who were told the youngsters would be abducted unless everyone cooperated, the brief said.

The robbery crew kicked, struck with rifle butts and shoved the victims to the floor, according to documents.

The victims didn’t resist, surrendering “over $10,000, two horse- mounting chairs, marijuana, a counting machine, a safe, super .38-caliber pistol, jewelry, a (pickup) truck and a van,” the brief said.

The loot was taken to Garcia’s house and divvied up, the prosecution alleged.

According to the brief, Garcia had been at odds with Esteves because the victim believed that the defendant had stolen “large quantities of marijuana” from him. The feud between the men ultimately led to Garcia and an unidentified man appearing in front of the victim’s Monroe Avenue house, brandishing handguns and threatening to kidnap him if he persisted in his antagonism, according to the brief.

A few weeks later, in the predawn hours of Feb. 5, 2018, Garcia and Guzman allegedly stormed the victim’s home, prompting Esteves to hide his wife and son in a closet while he attempted to negotiate with the pair, prosecutors said.

The D.A.’s office alleged the defendants ignored his pleas and “repeatedly shot him, then left without stealing a single item from the home.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Walter Mendez said a “large amount of marijuana” was found at the location, but hadn’t been touched.

“There was no indication of a robbery, simply a premeditated home invasion assassination,” according to the brief.

Sheriff’s detectives ultimately gathered sufficient evidence pointing to Garcia’s alleged involvement, and by extension, Guzman’s. However, by that time, the latter was under investigation by authorities in Los Angeles County for alleged drug-related killings there, according to prosecutors.

Garcia was arrested without incident on Oct. 29, 2018, in Menifee.

Guzman was tracked down by federal agents in Inyo County, where they attempted to take him into custody for the Menifee killing, as well as killings in northern Los Angeles County, according to Mendez.

He said the fugitive opened fire on the agents, who returned fire and killed him.

Court records show Garcia has prior convictions for felony driving under the influence, auto theft and receiving stolen property.

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    According to the Menifee Union School District, the eighth grader competed against dancers from 21 countries during the global competition, earning recognition alongside some of the top youth tap dancers in the world.

    Harlie competed in two major divisions during the championship event. Her team’s “Magic” performance in the Junior Formation category placed fifth overall, while the “Grease” production routine secured a silver medal finish, ranking second in the world.

    “This achievement represents the pinnacle of my dance journey so far,” Harlie said. “After competing for 10 years, nothing compares to the pride and joy of this moment. Being ranked second in the world is a dream come true.”

    Harlie’s path to the world championships began long before the trip to Prague. She started dancing at just 18 months old and has spent years training in competitive tap dance. She currently trains with the Southern California Tap Company and Norris Performing Arts Center under instructors Michelle Miner and Sarah Cleveland.

    To earn a spot on Team USA, Harlie went through an intensive audition process coordinated through the United States Dance & Sport Competition Federation. Once selected, the preparation became even more demanding.

    From July through October, she balanced long rehearsal weekends and elite-level training sessions while continuing to maintain straight A’s at Hans Christensen Middle School. Family vacations and free weekends were often replaced with practices and travel tied to competition preparation.

    Her mother, Sasha, described the experience as emotional and unforgettable for the entire family.

    “As a parent, it was both mind-blowing and surreal,” Sasha said. “Seeing her stand with her teammates wearing the United States jacket was something I’ll never forget. Watching her do what she loves alongside some of her closest friends made the entire experience incredibly special.”

    Beyond the competition itself, Harlie also had the opportunity to connect with dancers from around the world. Participants took part in a “presentation of nations,” where performers exchanged pins, gifts and stories with competitors from different countries, including Ukraine.

    Sasha described the atmosphere in Prague as feeling similar to a miniature Olympic event, with dancers from around the globe gathering through their shared passion for performing arts.

    Menifee Union School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root praised Harlie for balancing academics, leadership and high-level competition.

    “Harlie’s achievement reflects what students can accomplish when they combine passion with perseverance,” Root said. “She has represented both her school district and the United States with excellence while continuing to succeed academically.”

    Board President Kyle Root also congratulated the student on her international success, calling her accomplishment a source of pride for the district and local community.

    Outside of dance, Harlie remains heavily involved on campus. She participates in Associated Student Body, serves on the school’s cheerleading squad and takes part in the district’s Community Engagement Initiative. District officials said she recently spoke before a crowd of more than 1,000 participants, sharing her experiences and helping represent the district’s student leadership efforts.

    School officials said Harlie’s journey reflects years of discipline, teamwork and determination, with her recent international success serving as another milestone in both her academic and athletic career.

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“Our responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of public education and ensure that taxpayer resources are used lawfully and transparently,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “This audit identified serious concerns that merit further review by the appropriate authorities. We will continue to act with integrity, follow the law and ensure that the interests of students and the public remain at the center of every decision.”

The school district was made aware of the findings Wednesday but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to the county Office of Education, the audit, which was authorized under provisions of the state Education Code, followed revelations of a “concerning relationship” between VVUSD and Pegasus California School in Qingdao, China.

The Office of Education retained the Los Angeles law firm founded by former U.S. District Judge Stephen G. Larson to scrutinize the district’s operations. Larson’s staff also previously handled a substantial audit of the county’s Department of Child Protective Services.

Officials said the VVUSD probe began after evidence surfaced that high school diplomas had been approved by the district for non-resident students at the Chinese school. There were also indications of potential malfeasance and conflicts of interest, according to the Office of Education.

Larson’s findings resulted in a narrative spanning more than 1,000 pages, which the Office of Education condensed to a single-page executive summary.

“The audit identified serious compliance concerns,” the summary stated, affirming evidence pointing to the likely issuance of diplomas to “students who did not meet applicable legal or residency requirements.”

“There was evidence raising concerns regarding internal controls, fiscal oversight and the potential for unlawful financial practices associated with the district’s international program,” according to the summary. “These findings are based on documented evidence reviewed during the audit and are subject to further review and determination by the appropriate authorities.”

The Office of Education said that, along with the VVUSD governing board, the Office of the State Controller, administrators for the California Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office had been informed of the findings.

“The Office of Education … remains committed to ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken where warranted,” according to the agency.

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Daniel Ruiz, 39, of Moreno Valley, entered a guilty plea Monday to one count of wire fraud in U.S. District Court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Prosecutors said Ruiz orchestrated a scheme between 2021 and 2024 in which he posed as a legitimate supplier of electronic components and industrial equipment. Using fake business names and spoofed email domains, Ruiz allegedly convinced companies to send advance payments for products that were never delivered.

According to court documents, investigators identified more than 25 victims nationwide, with total losses exceeding $750,000. Many of the targeted businesses were small companies that relied on timely shipments to maintain operations.

Federal agents began investigating after multiple complaints were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Authorities traced the fraudulent communications and financial transactions back to accounts controlled by Ruiz.

During the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Ruiz’s residence in early 2025, where they seized computers, financial records, and evidence linking him to the scheme, prosecutors said.

Ruiz admitted in his plea agreement that he knowingly misrepresented himself to victims and used the proceeds for personal expenses, including luxury purchases and travel.

He is scheduled to be sentenced later this year and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Officials encouraged businesses to remain vigilant against fraud attempts and to verify vendor identities before sending payments.

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The DA’s office assisted the Contractors State License Board and the Menifee Police Department in the sting that was conducted Sept. 24-25.

According to the DA, undercover officers contacted unlicensed contractors and asked them to submit bids for various construction projects.

“All bids exceeded the legal limit of $500 for unlicensed work, with amounts ranging from $2,300 to $31,590 for landscaping, painting, and masonry projects,” according to the DA. “Under
California law, it is illegal for unlicensed contractors to bid or work on projects costing more than $500, including labor and materials.”

In addition to the 12 people who were served with notices to appear in criminal court, three other people were referred to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for similar violations.

Identities were not released.

In California, contractor licensing costs applicants hundreds of dollars. This is on top of costs for contractor’s insurance.

If convicted, those who were snared face penalties of up to $15,000, jail sentences of up to six months, and fines of up to $5,000. Repeat offenders face a mandatory 90-day jail sentence and a fine of $5,000 or 20 percent of the contract price, according to the DA.

In addition to allegedly working without a license, six people caught in the sting requested down payments from the undercover agents that were above the legal limit, according to the DA.

“Down payments for home improvement projects cannot exceed 10 percent of the project cost or $1,000, whichever is less. Violating this law is a misdemeanor, carrying fines of up to $5,000 and possible jail time,” the DA’s office said.

Home and property owners who use unlicensed contractors face risks. Unlicensed contractors likely don’t have the necessary insurance to cover any potential damage they do, meaning owners could be left to pay for repairs.

For further information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activities, visit the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB at 800-321-CSLB (2752).

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Leaving the scene of a crash is against the law in California, but it happened twice in less than six hours in Riverside County. In both cases, the victims were left to die.

The most recent incident was reported at about 3:40 a.m. Thursday in the area of Limonite and Pacific avenues in Jurupa Valley. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a motorcycle was struck by a vehicle, sending the rider into the roadway.

Deputies and paramedics arrived and found the adult male rider gravely injured. He was taken to a regional trauma center, where he died a short time later. The man’s identity was not released.

The motorist who hit the bike allegedly fled the scene but was tracked down.

“The ensuing investigation led to the identification of the other vehicle, and it was later located at a residence in Jurupa Valley,” according to the sheriff’s department. “The driver … was identified, and the vehicle was impounded.”

No arrest was announced and the driver’s name was not released.

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-955-2600.

Just a few hours earlier, at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, a 25-year-old Winchester man who was out running in a Menifee residential neighborhood was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

The fatal incident was reported at 28760 Bradley Road. When Menifee police and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived at the scene, they found the man, later identified by the coroner as Victor Bello, unresponsive in the road. Despite efforts to save him, Bello died at the scene.

A Menifee police investigation determined Bello was running northbound on Bradley when he was hit by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. The driver did not stop.

Police believe the vehicle was possibly a 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has more information is asked to call Menifee Police Officer Norwood at 951-723-1612 or contact the Menifee Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 951-723-1690.

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Vicki Carpenter, who represents Menifee as a trustee on the MSJC Board of Trustees, and Roger Schultz, Ph.D., superintendent/president of MSJC, accepted the award.
 

“This is such an honor to receive this award from our chamber,” said Carpenter. “We know MSJC is among a list of distinguished businesses in this community.”
 

Schultz said he is proud of the collaboration the college district has with the city, school district and businesses in the community. The Menifee Valley Campus has been serving the community since 1990 and has used facilities bond funds for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics building, currently under construction, and athletics complex with classrooms and a 5,000-seat stadium, which is scheduled to open this fall.
 

“We love this community; we’ve grown with this community; and great things are still to come,” Schultz said, referencing the construction of the new facilities. “We are thrilled to receive this award from the Menifee Valley Chamber. Thank you.”
 

The chamber’s gala was held on Saturday, April 29, at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Menifee and was attended by guests from both private and public sectors. 

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On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 8:30 P.M., deputies from the Perris Station responded to a report of a fire in the 25000 block of Antelope Road, City of Menifee. Deputies arrived and found the fire was dangerously close to a residence. Deputies entered the residence to render aid or evacuate anyone inside.  

While inside the residence, deputies located large quantities of cultivated marijuana and numerous marijuana plants. Cal Fire personnel extinguished the 2-acre fire without any property damage. Deputies later served a search warrant at the residence, which yielded approximately 193 lbs of processed Marijuana, 255 lbs of usable remnants, and 467 plants.  These items were estimated as being worth of over $300,000. 

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or Deputy Dietz at the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000.

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The Rotary Club of Menifee honored Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jeremy Brown with its Vocational Service Award.

The award, given at the club’s annual “Mayor’s Ball” in October, recognizes non-Rotarian individuals who have made a significant impact using their vocation to promote ethics and service in the community.

When Brown arrived at MSJC as a music instructor at the Menifee Valley Campus, he reached out to musicians in the Menifee area to join the MSJC Menifee Jazz Ensemble. Community performances and engagement with that ensemble led to further collaboration that has resulted in joint events such as the Fall Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Menifee Music & Arts Festival at the college’s Menifee Valley Campus.

“I was surprised and humbled to receive this award in a city that is doing such exciting things to actively build community and add value for its residents,” Brown said. “The level of collaboration we have achieved with Menifee would not be possible without the collective will of a host of MSJC employees, city leaders, and service organizations to build a stronger relationship. It’s exciting to see projects I have worked on since the planning stage come to fruition and continue year to year.

“One of the most inspiring aspects of my position is working with all the cities and communities we serve to meet their needs and create opportunities for students,” he said. “We are doing great things, together, for the people of our communities.”

John Tribelhorn Sr., who nominated Brown for the honor, said “Jeremy is not just talented, but he’s also a fine person. It’s great to see someone like him get recognition for the things he does that most don’t see.”

Mt. San Jacinto College serves about 27,000 students in a district covering 1,700 square miles from the San Gorgonio Pass to Temecula, with campuses in San Jacinto, Menifee, Banning and Temecula.

In May 2019, Mt. San Jacinto College awarded a record-breaking 3,338 degrees and certificates to 1,723 graduates.

Have a wonderful day and please follow MSJC on social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about the college at www.msjc.edu.

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Multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging inside the residence, with a column of smoke visible from Interstate 215 to the east, officials said.

Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to properties immediately adjacent to the doublewide, according to reports from the scene. The fire was fully contained at 4:10 p.m.It was unclear whether the property had been occupied.  The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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