A probationer accused of gunning down a 40-year-old man sitting in a parked vehicle in Homeland pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges.
Benjamin Joshua Velez Jr., 41, of Homeland, was arrested last month following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the slaying of Ryan White of San Diego County.
Along with murder, Velez is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, probation violations and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
He was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Jeff Zimel, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Oct. 10 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
Velez was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Jarred Bishop, on the afternoon of May 26, there was an unspecified confrontation involving Velez and White in the 31000 block of Neer Street, near Leon Road, just south of Highway 74.
The victim was sitting in a car at the time and was shot once, Bishop said.
He said witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies and paramedics reached the location minutes later. White was taken to a regional trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.
Velez did not attempt to flee the scene and was found suffering from a minor injury, about which there were no details. Bishop said the defendant was treated at a hospital, then questioned by sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit detectives, culminating in his arrest the following morning.
A specific motive for the alleged attack was not provided, nor was anything disclosed regarding how the defendant and victim were acquainted.
Court records show Velez has prior documented felony convictions for forgery and possession of controlled substances for sale.