A probationer and another man involved in a deadly attack stemming from a dispute in Moreno Valley pleaded guilty Friday to felony charges.
Adam Melvin Carl, 30, and Ruben Alexander Puentes, 29, both of Moreno Valley, were arrested last year following a monthslong Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the death of 45-year-old Ralph Ortega.
When the defendants’ case was called for a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, the prosecution and defense announced that separate plea agreements had been reached, under which Carl admitted voluntary manslaughter and a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation, and Puentes admitted assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury.
Prosecutors agreed to drop a murder charge against Carl in exchange for his admissions. No charges were dismissed against Puentes.
Superior Court Judge Jay Kiel scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 8 at the downtown courthouse.
Carl is being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail. Puentes is free on of $50,000 bond.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Alberto Loureiro, on the night of Nov. 1, 2024, the defendants were involved in an unspecified dispute with Ortega in the 24000 block of Dracaea Avenue, near Heacock Street.
During the confrontation, Carl pulled a pistol and opened fire, striking the victim several times, according to Loureiro and court documents.
The defendants fled the location immediately after the gunfire.
Loureiro said paramedics reached the location minutes later and found Ortega in grave condition. He was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
The reasons behind the conflict between the men was not disclosed.
Central Homicide Unit detectives spent the ensuing six months amassing evidence that ultimately pointed to the defendants as the perpetrators. Both were taken into custody without incident last June.
Court records indicated Carl has prior convictions for assault resulting in great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon and driving without a license. Puentes has no documented prior felonies in Riverside County.