Felipe Villegas Arraigned After Extradition in 2022 Pacific Beach Killing
A preliminary hearing is set for June 30 after a 42-month delay tied to his Texas cases.
Overview
- Felipe Villegas, 30, was booked into San Diego Central Jail on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to murdering Mary Garcia.
- He faces an allegation of using a firearm in the killing and remains held without bail pending the June 30 preliminary hearing.
- Officials say his transfer followed nearly 42 months of proceedings in Texas after his arrest there three days after the shooting on alleged armed robbery and carjacking.
- Police report no known motive and no apparent connection between Garcia, 65, and the suspect.
- Detectives initially arrested Garcia’s son in 2022 before dropping charges, and news reports later cited ballistics linking Villegas’ gun to the Pacific Beach shooting.