June 2011 Archives

CHINO -- A 28-year-old man accused of torching his ex-girlfriend's car in January has pleaded guilty to felony vandalism as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Carlos Allen Alexander of Long Beach entered his plea Monday in Chino Superior Court. His plea agreement carries a sentence of a year in jail, which is scheduled to be imposed by a judge on July 26.

According to police reports contained in Alexander's court file, he often came uninvited to his ex-girlfriend's apartment in the 13000 block of Ramona Avenue in Chino.

The evening of Jan. 12 he allegedly lurked outside the woman's home and continuously called her and sent text messages asking that she take him back, according to the report.

The woman told police she refused to open her front door for Alexander and later ignored a knock at her door, fearing it was him.

Shortly after midnight the woman's car was torched. Witnesses told police they saw a man matching Alexander's description walking away from the burning vehicle, according to the police report.

Alexander was arrested at about 10 a.m. on Jan. 13 at a motel in Pomona.

POMONA - A Montclair man pleaded no contest to three counts of vehicular manslaughter today in connection with a 2002 street racing crash in which three people were killed.

Roque Torres, 28, entered his pleas in Pomona Superior Court as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that carries a prison sentence of five years and four months. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 25.

According to prosecutors, Torres and another driver, 22-year-old Jamael Glenn Johnson, raced each other at speeds of up to 100 mph in Pomona on Dec. 20, 2002.

Johnson's 1993 Honda collided with a van at Garey Avenue and Philadelphia Street, killing Johnson and his two passengers: Jose Issac Batres, 26, and Carlos Mendoza, 20. All three men were from Pomona.

Torres fled the scene after the crash, authorities said.

The driver of the van suffered serious injuries, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The case remained unsolved until October 2010, when the Pomona Police Department received an anonymous tip implicating Torres, according to the news release. Torres was arrested in February.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A murder trial opened today for an alleged Ontario gang member accused of gunning down a fellow gang member two years ago on an Upland residential street.

Daniel Vera, 23, is accused of killing Manuel Jesus Vega, 29, on Jan. 13, 2009 in the 300 block of Stillman Avenue in front of an apartment complex where Vega's mother lived.

Vega had been "green-lighted" for execution by his gang, Deputy District Attorney Carlo DiCesare told jurors during his opening statement in West Valley Superior Court.

"This is a gang hit," DiCesare said. "Members of the same gang hit each other just like they hit rival gangs."

Three witnesses saw a man matching Vera's description with Vega at the time of the shooting, DiCesare said.

Clothing found by police in Vera's bedroom matched the attire that witnesses said was worn by the shooter, DiCesare said.

Investigators also found distinctive particles on Vera's clothing that indicate he had been close to a fired gun, DiCesare said.

Vera's attorney, Joe Borges, told the jury that Vera didn't kill Vega. It's impossible, he said, because at the time Vera was at the Ontario Mills mall, about eight miles from where Vega was killed.

Borges showed jurors a still image from a mall security camera that he said pictured Vera with two friends. The image was time-stamped 5:35 p.m., which is about 25 minutes before the shooting.

"My client was simply not there and did not do this," Borges said.

After attorneys completed their opening statements, jurors heard testimony from a man who lived across the street from where Vega was shot.

The witness, whose name is withheld for fear of gang retaliation, said that 5 to 10 minutes prior to the shooting he saw Vega and Vera together near a sidewalk.

The witness said he and Vera locked eyes for several seconds.

He said he'd seen Vera with Vega in the past, and recalled that Vera had a large tattoo across the back of his neck that said "Onterio," which is an intentional misspelling used by Ontario gangs.

His recollection of the distinctive tattoo assisted detectives in identifying Vera as Vega's suspected shooter.

During his testimony, the man looked at Vera and said he was "100 percent sure" he saw the same man with Vega shortly before the shooting.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Two Mexican citizens accused of holding three immigrants captive at a home here pleaded not guilty today to criminal charges.

Jose DeJesus Horta Gutterrez, 34, and Leonardo Rios Sanchez, 24, entered their pleas during an arraignment in West Valley Superior Court.

Alvaro Barajas, 38, was also charged in the case and was expected to be arraigned today, but information about his court appearance was unavailable.

Prosecutors allege the men held captive three illegal immigrants from Mexico who paid between $2,000 and $3,000 for assistance crossing the border.

The immigrants were being held in Rancho Cucamonga until their friends or families paid an additional $1,000, according to prosecutors.

The defendants were arrested Friday after one of the immigrants used a cell phone to call 9-1-1, according to a San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman.

The defendants remained jailed today in lieu of $2.5 million at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Prosecutors charged each man Tuesday with three counts of kidnapping for ransom and three counts of false imprisonment by violence.

Pictured: Jessica Flores.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A man accused of stabbing his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend to death last year did so after the girl rebuffed his request that they reunite, according to court testimony today.

After his arrest, Danny Vasquez told police he pleaded with Jessica Flores to return to him as both sat in a parked car outside Flores' home in Bloomington, according to testimony from Ontario police Detective Al Parra.

During their early-morning conversation on Sept. 30, Flores became distracted by neighborhood dogs that approached Vasquez's borrowed car, Parra testified.

When Flores greeted the dogs, Vasquez felt the girl was making light of their discussion. The 21-year-old became enraged and stabbed Flores in the throat with a steak knife, Parra testified.

Flores gasped for air and held her neck. Though there was a hospital near Flores' home, Vasquez drove aimlessly until the girl died, Parra testified.

At about 2:30 a.m. Vasquez drove to his mother's apartment in Ontario and called police. He was subsequently arrested.

Parra's account of Vasquez's confession came during a preliminary hearing in West Valley Superior Court. Vasquez's mother and one of his sisters also testified.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Michael Libutti ruled that prosecutors presented enough evidence for Vasquez to stand trial for murder.

Vasquez's mother, Margaret Leal, testified that she was asleep when her son arrived at her apartment in the 1700 block of East Fourth Street.

Leal said Vasquez entered her bedroom and woke her. He was hysterical, and he said he thought he'd killed Flores, Leal testified.

"He said, 'I told you I needed help,'" Leal testified.

The commotion also roused Vasquez's sister, Lidia Cuellar.

Cuellar testified that after she heard Vasquez say he feared he'd killed Flores, she rushed to check on the girl. She said she found Flores unresponsive in the passenger seat.

According to Parra's testimony, Vasquez lived at a sister's home in San Bernardino at the time of Flores' killing.

He borrowed his sister's car the day before the incident to search for work. He took one of his sister's four steak knives with him, Parra testified.

In his confession, Vasquez said he arrived at Flores' home after nightfall and went to her bedroom window. He convinced her to come with him to the car, Parra testified.

According to Parra, Vasquez made statements during his confession such as, "If he couldn't have (Flores), no one else could," and, "If he was going to lose everything, so would she."

The couple met through MySpace, a social networking website, Parra said.

Flores was an Ontario native and attended Chaffey High School, her friends said last year.

When she died she'd been living at her father's home in Bloomington for about a year, according to her friends.

Vasquez remained jailed today in lieu of $2 million bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He is next due in court July 5.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges today against three men accused of holding captive three illegal immigrants who were smuggled across the Mexican border.

The men, all Mexican citizens, allegedly kept the immigrants in a Rancho Cucamonga home and told each captive they would not be released until their friends or family members paid a $1,000 fee, a prosecutor said.

Before they were taken to the United States, the immigrants -- all Mexican citizens -- each paid smugglers between $2,000 and $3,000, said John Kochis, chief deputy district attorney.

The three alleged smugglers were each charged with six felonies: three counts of kidnapping for ransom and three counts of false imprisonment by violence.

The accused men are Jose DeJesus Horta Gutterez, 34, Leonardo Rios Sanchez, 24, and Alvaro Barajas, 38.

They are being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, and are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in West Valley Superior Court, according to court staff members.

At about 8 a.m. Friday, one of the captives called 9-1-1 using a cell phone and reported that he and others were being held captive, according to a San Bernardino County spokeswoman.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for a home in the 13000 block of Arrow Route, and found eight people inside, Kochis said.

According to Kochis, deputies determined that three of the people were captives, three others were responsible for holding them, and two were illegal Mexican immigrants who had been smuggled but were not being held for further payment.

Kochis said the five immigrants are in custody for a hold by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and may be deported.

SAN BERNARDINO -- A former Assessor's Office employee charged with falsifying timesheets appeared today in San Bernardino Superior Court.

A new pre-trial hearing was scheduled for June 30 in Gregory Eyler's case.

Eyler, 35, was hired in 2007 as a "taxpayer advocate" under then-Assessor Bill Postmus, who prosecutors say misused his office by hiring unqualified friends, such as Eyler, and conducting political business.

According to prosecutors, Eyler often asked to be paid for time when he was not working.

His attorney, Deputy Public Defender Eric A. Teti, told a judge that on June 30, "What we're hoping to do is (hold) a little more detailed conference with the court about setting trial dates."

INDIO -- The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is conducting an internal investigation into a deputy who was charged with bringing his service weapon to court in his other criminal case, a Riverside County prosecutor said today.

Word of the internal investigation was a factor in prosecutors' decision to drop criminal charges Thursday against the deputy, 44-year-old Richard Heverly, said Deputy District Attorney Lee Roberts.

"We feel that this situation ... is better handled by their disciplinary process," Roberts said.

Heverly, of La Verne, was charged with assault with a firearm and other crimes after a tow truck driver claimed Heverly, while off duty, held a gun to his head in August 2008 during an apparent road-rage incident on the 10 Freeway 50 miles east of Indio.

A jury acquitted Heverly of all charges last year in the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

During a January 2010 court appearance in that case, Heverly came to court in full uniform with his service weapon, and he was subsequently charged with possessing a firearm in a state building.

"There really wasn't any criminal intent on his part," Roberts said. "Certainly, it was really, really bad judgment."

A sheriff's spokeswoman declined to comment and said information about an internal investigation would be confidential.

POMONA -- A Covina man accused of killing two young women last year in an alleged drunk driving crash testified today that he felt pressured by his court-appointed attorney to accept a plea agreement from prosecutors.

Alan Michael McConnell, 28, said he didn't build a relationship with his attorney, who he said seldom returned phone calls.

"It was as if I wasn't important," McConnell said. "That's how I felt."

McConnell pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in April as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that carried a prison sentence of 15 years to life.

He decided prior to his sentencing that he wanted to revert his pleas to not guilty.

Prosecutors accuse McConnell of having a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 on Jan. 23, 2010 when he drove into a tree in the median of Foothill Boulevard in La Verne.

His two passengers -- Renee Hardy, 20, and Telassie Dague, 22 -- were killed in the crash.

McConnell is scheduled to retake the witness stand this morning in Pomona Superior Court.

A judge is expected to rule on McConnell's request to withdraw his guilty pleas after he completes his testimony, and after his prior attorney testifies.

INDIO -- Prosecutors dropped criminal charges today against a San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy who allegedly brought his service weapon to court in his other criminal case.

The felony charge against 44-year-old Richard Charles Heverly -- possessing a firearm in a state building -- was dismissed by a judge upon a motion by prosecutors at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

"We're just very happy with the outcome," said Heverly's attorney, Michael Schwartz.

Heverly, of La Verne, was charged with assault with a firearm and other charges after a tow truck driver claimed Heverly, while off duty, held a gun to his head in August 2008 during an apparent road-rage incident.

Heverly was acquitted by a jury in November of all charges in the case.

During a January 2010 court appearance in that case, Heverly came to court in full uniform with his service weapon. Prosecutors said that was a violation of the law, and subsequently charged him.

Schwartz said he learned late Wednesday from the prosecutor handling the case that it would be dropped.

He declined to discuss whether prosecutors explained why they no longer wished to pursue the case.

A spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office could not be reached for comment this afternoon.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Two men pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter this week in connection with a woman's fatal shooting last year at a Montclair nightclub.

Esteban Hernandez, 27, and Armando Hernandez Ledesma, 24, entered their pleas Monday in West Valley Superior Court as part of plea agreements with prosecutors.

Hernandez's agreement carries a 16-year prison sentences, while Ledesma's agreement carries a sentence of 11 years, according to court documents. The men are scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 16.

Both men are accused of participating in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Rafaela Davila on Jan. 13, 2009 in the parking lot outside El Encanto Night Club, 10555 Mills Ave., which has since been renamed El Capo Night Club.

Hernandez and Ledesma are both members of an Ontario street gang, and the night of the shooting Davila, of Pomona, said she was a member of another gang, according to a document in the men's court file that summarizes the police investigation.

POMONA -- A judge is set to rule Thursday on an accused drunk driver's request to withdraw guilty pleas to murder charges stemming from a fatal car crash last year in La Verne.

Alan Michael McConnell, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder April 6 as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that carries a prison sentence of 15 years to life.

But at his scheduled sentencing two weeks later in Pomona Superior Court, the Covina man said he'd changed his mind and wished to revert his pleas to not guilty.

Prosecutors say McConnell was drunk on Jan. 23, 2010 when he drove into a tree in the median of Foothill Boulevard near Wheeler Avenue.

The crash killed his passengers, Renee Hardy, 20, and Telassie Dague, 22.

During a court hearing today, Judge Tia Fisher discussed McConnell's request with a prosecutor and McConnell's current and former attorneys.

According to Fisher, McConnell believes his prior attorney pressured him into accepting a plea bargain.

The pressure, combined with other factors, was so great that McConnell believes his decision to plead guilty was not voluntary, Fisher said.

McConnell and his previous attorney, Sam Abrahamian, are scheduled to testify Thursday about McConnell's guilty pleas.

After the men testify, Fisher is expected to rule on McConnell's request to withdraw his pleas.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled if Fisher denies McConnell's request.

POMONA -- The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has declined to file criminal charges against a 17-year-old boy who killed his brother last week in a knife fight, authorities said today.

The boy fatally stabbed 24-year-old Victor Aguero at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday outside their family's home in the 200 block of Whitney Avenue in Pomona, police said.

The boy was arrested following the stabbing, but after a review of the case Monday prosecutors declined to charge him with a crime, according to a staff member in the Pomona juvenile department of the District Attorney's Office.

The brothers got into a fight for unknown reasons while their parents were not home, and Aguero chased his younger brother out of their apartment, a neighbor said.

Both men were armed with knives, and the 17-year-old stabbed his brother during a struggle, according to police and neighbors.

Jerry Martinez, who lives next door to the brothers' apartment, said such violence is unusual on Whitney Avenue, a north Pomona street lined with apartment buildings.

"It's a quiet area here," said Martinez, 25.

A relative of the brothers who opened the door at their home declined to comment.

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A church choir director accused of committing lewd sexual acts with a 15-year-old choirgirl had a request for reduced bail denied today by a judge.

An attorney for Mark William Michaels, 53, asked Judge Michael Libutti in West Valley Superior Court to lower or eliminate Michaels' bail, which was set at $250,000.

Libutti denied the request. Micheals remained jailed at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, and he is next due in court June 30.

Michaels, of Upland, was arrested June 5 after a Montclair police officer saw him allegedly committing lewd acts with the girl in a car parked in an alley behind businesses in the 10200 block of Central Avenue.

Micheals and the girl both attended Bethany Baptist Church, 9950 Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair, police said.

Prosecutors have charged Micheals with four felonies. One of the charges is for the alleged lewd acts on June 5, while the other three crimes allegedly occurred between Jan. 1 and June 4.

FONTANA -- A judge denied a request for reduced bail today for the accused robber dubbed the "Granny Bandit," who allegedly committed four robberies last month over four days.

Dodi Wasbotten's bail was set at $500,000 after prosecutors filed criminal charges against her.

An attorney for the 51-year-old Fontana woman, whose nickname stems from initial descriptions provided by victims, asked Judge Phillip Morris to lower Wasbotten's bail during a hearing in Fontana Superior Court.

"(Deputy Public Defender Isaac) Rees argued that Ms. Wasbotten has a minimal criminal record and strong ties to the community," Deputy District Attorney Douglas Schaller said.

Morris ordered that bail remain set at $500,000 because it's the standard bail for a person charged with four counts of robbery, Schaller said.

Wasbotten is next due in court July 5, Schaller said.

According to police, Wasbotten robbed shoppers in Fontana in parking lots of two different Target stores, a Wal-Mart and a Kohl's store.

She was arrested on May 11, about an hour after her final alleged robbery, when a Fontana crime analyst on her lunch break recognized Wasbotten's car from descriptions of the accused robber's vehicle.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Two men were sentenced to lengthy prison terms this month for committing a string of armed robberies two years ago across the Inland Valley.

Jose Antonio Rivera, 36, and Cruz Rodriguez Vasquez, 25, were each convicted of numerous crimes in April in connection with 20 armed robberies at local stores between June and October 2009.

Rivera, of Ontario, was the gunman in the robberies, according to prosecutors. He was sentenced to 86 years and eight months.

Vasquez, of El Monte, helped collect money during the robberies and served as the getaway driver, according to prosecutors. He was sentenced to 39 years.

Both men were sentenced June 2 in West Valley Superior Court by Judge Shahla Sabet.

Rivera and Vasquez primarily targeted mobile phone outlets such as Metro PCS, but they also robbed restaurants and gas stations, authorities said.

Half the robberies were committed in Ontario, while others occurred in Claremont, Pomona, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, authorities said.

Rivera and Vasquez were arrested Oct. 8, 2009 in Upland after committing a robbery there.

SAN BERNARDINO -- An Ontario woman recently acquitted of murdering her husband is aiming to reach a plea agreement with prosecutors rather than stand trial a second time in her case, her attorney said today.

Mia Gonzales, 36, was acquitted of murder by a jury in April, but the panel deadlocked in its deliberations over a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, which is the only remaining charge.

Gonzales' attorney, Mark Fredrick, said today following Gonzales' appearance in San Bernardino Superior Court that his client is seeking a plea bargain.

"Mia's not interested in putting everybody through another trial," Fredrick said.

Gonzales is next due in court July 22, Fredrick said.

Gonzales' husband, 44-year-old state parole agent Abel Gonzales, was shot and killed on Oct. 27, 2007 during what Mia Gonzales said was a domestic dispute in the couple's bedroom.

Mia Gonzales testified that her husband restrained her physically during an argument over their marriage, so she retrieved a revolver from a dresser in the room.

She said her husband grappled with her for control of the weapon, and it inadvertently fired. The bullet entered Abel Gonzales' head.

SAN BERNARDINO -- Attorneys for four men charged with bribery and other crimes in connection with the county's $102 million legal settlement with Colonies Partners LP received transcripts this morning of grand jury proceedings that resulted in a 29-count criminal indictment last month.

An arraignment for the defendants scheduled this morning in San Bernardino Superior Court was postponed to July 1.

The four defendants are: Jeffrey Burum, 48, co-managing partner of Colonies; Paul Biane, 47, a former county supervisor; Mark Kirk, 36, former chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt; and James Erwin, a former county employee who prosecutors allege acted as an "agent" for Burum prior to the 2006 settlement.

Much of this morning's proceedings before Judge Brian McCarville centered on the timing and scope of the potential future public release of the grand jury transcripts.

McCarville granted a request from defense attorneys -- over the objection of prosecutors -- for a delay of three weeks before the transcripts might be unsealed.

By law, such transcripts are typically unsealed 10 days after being given to the defense, McCarville said.

The attorneys asked for the delay to allow time to review the transcripts and potentially make requests for portions of the transcripts to remain under seal.

Given the length of the transcripts, which are 1,200 to 1,300 pages, "three weeks is not unreasonable," McCarville said.

"I don't know that there's anything that shouldn't be released to the public," said John Vandevelde, one of Burum's attorneys. "We just want to read it. We have the right to read it."

McCarville asked the attorneys to file written motions prior to the July 1 court hearing if they want to keep portions of the transcripts sealed.

The four defendants are out of custody. They sat together during today's hearing in the front row of the spectator section of the courtroom.

They spoke little during the hearing. They each agreed to waive their right to a speedy arraignment. Some of the men also spoke to agree to be represented by an attorney other than their attorney of record.

Prosecutors allege that the county's settlement with Colonies, a Rancho Cucamonga development company that constructed a large housing and retail project in Upland near the 210 Freeway, was tainted by blackmail and bribery.

Colonies sued the county as part of a dispute over Colonies' construction of a large flood-control basin on its property.

After the settlement, Burum made $100,000 campaign contributions to political action committees controlled by Biane, Kirk and Erwin. Prosecutors say the payments were bribes.

"We look forward to vindicating Mr. Burum's rights and demonstrating his innocence," said Mary Carter Andrues, one his Burum's attorneys.

POMONA -- Prosecutors have reached plea agreements with five of the six teens charged in connection with the fatal shootings of two juveniles last year at Ted Greene Park.

The five defendants pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on June 1 in Pomona Superior Court, and they were each sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 12 years, according to court records.

Timmy Moore, 17, and Prithesh Dunn, 15, were fatally shot at about 3 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2010 during what witnesses described as a fight between rival gang members at the park, located at Orange Grove and La Verne avenues in Pomona.

The shooter, 15-year-old Denzel Isaiah Omar, allegedly opened fire with a .22-caliber rifle after a member of the opposing gang waved a gun above his head, police said.

Omar fired 13 rounds, killing Moore and Dunn and wounding a third teen, authorities said.

Omar and his five co-defendants were each charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

They were charged as adults and potentially faced life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In addition to pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter on June 1, Omar admitted to "special allegations" that he used a firearm and committed the crime in association with a gang.

Commissioner Wade Olson sentenced him to 12 years in state prison.

Dayveon Thomas, 18, Johnny Moore, 17, and Davonte Jenkins, 17, each pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and admitted to a "special allegation" that they committed the crime in association with a gang.

They were each sentenced to nine years in prison.

Samuel Boyd, 18, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in state prison.

Prosecutors dismissed remaining criminal charges against the five teens.

Omar's older brother, 17-year-old Devin Adel Omar, did not reach a plea agreement with prosecutors.

He still faces two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He is next due in court June 29, with a jury trial scheduled to begin July 5.

The prosecutor in the case, Deputy District Attorney Bjorn Dodd, could not be reached for comment this week. A message on his voicemail said he would be out of the office until Monday.

Updated at 2:30 p.m. on June 9 with information on Michaels' bail motion.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A church choir director pleaded not guilty today in West Valley Superior Court to charges that he committed lewd sexual acts with a 15-year-old choirgirl.

Mark William Michaels, 53, was arrested at about 9 a.m. Sunday after a Montclair police officer saw him allegedly committing lewd acts with the girl in a parked car in an alley behind the 10200 block of Central Avenue.

Prosecutors charged Michaels on Tuesday with four felonies -- one with respect to Sunday's alleged acts, and three others for alleged sexual contact that occurred between Jan. 1 and June 4, according to the complaint in Michaels' court file.

Michaels and the girl both participated in the choir at Bethany Baptist Church, 9950 Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair, police said.

Michaels, of Upland, remained jailed today in lieu of $250,000 bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. His bail was raised from $50,000 after criminal charges were filed.

He is next due in court Monday for a hearing in which his attorney is expected to ask a judge to lower Michaels' bail or order him released in exchange for a promise to appear in court.

Michaels' attorney, Antonio Bestard, filed a written motion Thursday in support of his request.

In a declaration attached to the motion, Micheals' wife said her husband is "a very good man and caring toward society."

"He has no criminal record and has been a great provider for me and my daughters for the past eight years," Sonja Michaels said.

She said her husband was a flight instructor, and since the economic downturn he has worked he was worked as a substitute teacher at private schools in the area.

"Mark Micheals is a decent man, non-violent, and not a threat to himself, our family or society," Sonja Michaels said.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Prosecutors filed criminal charges today against a 53-year-old church choir director who allegedly committed lewd acts with a 15-year-old girl.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Mark William Michaels of Upland with four counts of committing lewd acts with a child.

Micheals is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga.

He remains jailed today in lieu of $50,000 bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, according to online booking records.

Michaels was arrested at about 9 a.m. Sunday after a Montclair police officer saw him and the girl committing lewd acts in a parked car, according to a news release.

The car, a white 2005 Dodge Stratus, was parked in an alley behind businesses on the west side of the 10200 block of Central Avenue, said Montclair police Lt. Jason Reed.

Michaels is a director of the choir at Bethany Baptist Church, 9950 Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair, and the girl is in the choir, Reed said.

Michaels and the girl met two years ago at the church, Reed said.

Sixteen alleged members of the Azusa 13 street gang were arrested this morning as part of a federal indictment in which 51 alleged members are charged.

Federal prosecutors charged the alleged gang members with racketeering and with violating the civil rights of black people, who the gang targeted in racially motivated attacks between 1992 and 2010, according to a news release.

Read the news release here (PDF): Azusa13CivilRightsRICOCase.pdf

Read the 112-page indictment here: azusa-13-rico-civil-rights-indictment.pdf

Two alleged members of the Azusa 13 street gang are charged with murder in the execution-style shooting in Pomona of Roberta Romero, who was a witness against an "enforcer" for the gang who was sentenced to death.

Read past coverage of Romero's 2009 killing here, here and here.

CHINO -- The superintendent of a Chino Hills home construction project has pleaded not guilty to charges that he bribed a building inspector.

Nelson Chu, 61, of Rowland Heights entered the plea during an arraignment June 1 in Chino Superior Court.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged him on April 27 with a single count of felony bribery.

According to a police report contained in Chu's court file, Chu gave Chino Hills city employee Andrew Zummo $5,000 cash between November 2009 and December 2010, as well as a lighter and a bottle of Rémy Martin congac.

Chu concealed some of the alleged bribes in construction paperwork that he submitted to Zummo, and left other alleged bribes in Zummo's truck, according to the report.

Zummo reported each gift immediately to his supervisors and to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, according to the report.

Chu was overseeing construction of a home in the 1100 block of Village Drive.

He remains free awating trial in his case, and is next due in court July 13.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A woman accused of killing and dismembering her boyfriend appeared this morning in West Valley Superior Court.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday in Carmen Montelongo's murder case was postponed indefinitely. She has pleaded not guilty and is next due in court July 18.

During a preliminary hearing, the prosecution must present evidence -- typically through police testimony -- for a case to proceed to trial.

Deputy District Attorney Erica Gallegos said she's unsure when a preliminary hearing will occur in Montelongo's case.

Montelongo's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Taft, declined to comment.

Montelongo, of Riverside, is accused of stabbing 62-year-old Samuel Wiggins Jr. to death about a month ago, and dismembering his head and arms at his Diamond Bar home.

Montelongo was arrested in Ontario on May 29 after she allegedly exhumed Wiggins' dismembered remains from a relative's backyard, then wheeled the remains in a trash can 200 yards down residential streets.

Wiggins' head and arms were recovered by police four days later. They were concealed in large flower pots that Montelongo allegedly delivered to a relative's home last month around Mother's Day.

Gallegos said that at Montelongo's next court appearance, she plans to file an amended complaint that accurately identifies the defendant and victim.

Wiggins is identified in the current complaint as "John Doe" because authorities hadn't confirmed his identify prior to charges being filed last week.

Montelongo is identified in the complaint as Montenegro, which is an alias she gave to police when she was arrested.

Police now say Montelongo is the defendant's true last name, Gallegos said.

Ontario police detectives are still interviewing witnesses and taking other steps to gather evidence in the case, Gallegos said.

Montelongo and Wiggins met online about two years ago. Wiggins recently bought an engagement ring and planned to propose to her, his nephew said.

Authorities believe Montelongo, who is either 44 or 51, may have killed Wiggins for financial gain.

Pictured: Carmen Montelongo

DIAMOND BAR - Samuel Wiggins Jr. was a lifelong bachelor. Until recently, he told relatives he would never get married.

His attitude changed after he began dating Carmen Montelongo about two years ago, said Wiggins' nephew, Ramon Martin.

Wiggins, 62, bought an engagement ring and planned to propose to Montelongo, who he met online, Martin said.

"He loved her a lot," Martin said. "Unfortunately, it cost him his life."

Police arrested Montelongo of Riverside last weekend after she allegedly exhumed Wiggins' dismembered remains from a relative's backyard in Ontario, then loaded the remains into a trash can that she wheeled 200 yards down residential streets.

Police recovered Wiggins' head and arms on Wednesday at the Bell Gardens home of another Montelongo relative.

The body parts were concealed in two large flower pots that Montelongo delivered to the home around Mother's Day last month, authorities said.

Authorities contend Montelongo fatally stabbed Wiggins more than a month ago at his Diamond Bar home, where he lived alone, and dismembered him there.

"He's very missed by his family," Martin said. "What she did to my uncle was very uncalled for. It's something that should have never happened. There's no excuse for it."

Montelongo, who authorities said is either 44 or 51, told an officer when she was arrested May 29 that Wiggins assaulted her.

Wiggins' friends and family members dispute Montelongo's claim. They said they believe Montelongo killed Wiggins for financial gain.

Martin said that before he died, Wiggins told him Montelongo would steal items from his home such as DVDs. And police said that after Martin's disappearance, Montelongo used his credit cards and drove his car.

"She constantly stole from him, and he accepted it," said Martin, 40, of Lancaster.

Vietnam veteran

Wiggins was raised in Compton and was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, where he fought in the late 1960s, Martin said.

Martin's parents both died when he was 9 years old - his father in a car accident, and his mother of breast cancer.

Martin said Wiggins cared for him after his parents died, and was like a second father to him.

"He was a very loving man. He loved me a lot," Martin said. "He basically raised me."

Wiggins attended college after his return from Vietnam and later worked for Boeing in Seal Beach.

A former colleague, John Tierney, said Wiggins was a subcontract administrator and was responsible for buying aerospace components. He retired about five years ago.

Wiggins fathered a son, Michael Wiggins, who he helped raise, and his son is now married with three children. Samuel Wiggins, known to friends and family as Sam, often visited his son's family in Texas, Martin said.

Michael Wiggins declined to comment Friday at his father's home in Diamond Bar.

Loving boyfriend

Samuel Wiggins doted on Montelongo after the couple began dating, Martin said.

"People get older and they look for companionship," Martin said. "They look to settle down, and he picked the wrong lady."

He looked the other way when she stole from him, and he supported her family financially, Martin said. Wiggins bought Montelongo's daughter a car and helped pay for her college education, Martin said.

Montelongo and her daughter moved into his home for a brief period, said Martin and several of Wiggins' neighbors.

"He told me that he loved (Montelongo) and wanted to marry her, but I don't remember him saying really peachy stuff," Martin said. "His actions spoke louder than words with him. I can say that much."

Disappearance

Authorities said they believe Wiggins was killed between mid-April and early May.

Martin said that in his last phone conversation with his uncle, he and Wiggins argued about his relationship with Montelongo, and Wiggins was offended.

After the argument, "I didn't hear from him for about two weeks," Martin said. "I told my wife, 'My uncle's being stubborn.'" Martin said he tried calling his uncle several times but couldn't reach him. He said Montelongo would sometimes pick up the phone, and would make excuses to explain why Wiggins was unavailable.

Once she said Wiggins was in San Diego, and another time she said he had been hospitalized, Martin said.

Wiggins' former next-door neighbor, David Falcon, said no one in the neighborhood saw Wiggins for several weeks. But they saw Montelongo coming and going from Wiggins' home. She drove his 2009 Honda Accord, and her visits were often in the middle of the night, Falcon said.

Martin said that as he continued to press Montelongo for details regarding his uncle's whereabouts, she began asking him to come over to Wiggins' home to help with tasks such as moving boxes.

Martin said he believes Montelongo was trying to lure him to the home to kill him.

Nephew investigates

Martin said he went to his uncle's home on May 25 to investigate Wiggins' apparent disappearance. His uncle's pool, which was typically full, was drained, Martin said.

His favorite pair of shoes was still in the home, which called into doubt Montelongo's story that Wiggins was traveling.

Martin said he saw other unusual signs, such as a pack of cigarettes and lighter that were left on a table in the backyard. He said it was uncharacteristic of his uncle to leave such things outdoors.

Martin said he filed a missing person's report that day with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

At about midnight, he said he received a call from Montelongo's daughter, who said, "(Expletive) your uncle," according to Martin.

"I'm the one who initiated the whole search for my uncle," Martin said.

Martin said he returned to his uncle's home the following day and found blood spattering on walls in two of the rooms. After the discovery, the Sheriff's Department returned to the home and expanded their investigation, Martin said.

One of Montelongo's neighbors in Riverside said that in the week prior to Montelongo's arrest, law enforcement officers came to her neighborhood multiple times looking for Montelongo.

Martin said he believes Montelongo may have exhumed Wiggins' dismembered remains in Ontario because she feared sheriff's investigators would discover the remains.

After police on Wednesday identified the remains recovered in Ontario and Bell Gardens as Wiggins', Martin, Wiggins' son and other family members began packing up Wiggins' belongings, Martin said.

They spent Thursday and Friday loading a U-Haul truck.

Martin said his family has yet to schedule funeral services for Wiggins.

"I would always call my uncle when I had a problem," Martin said. "Now it's like I really have to grow up."

Updated at 5:10 p.m.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Prosecutors said today that there's insufficient evidence to file criminal charges against the adult children of a Riverside woman who allegedly stabbed her ex-boyfriend to death and dismembered his body.

Carmen Montelongo's children -- Daniel Ortiz, 25, and Chanel Alicia Ortiz, 26 -- will be released today from West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, said John Kochis, a chief deputy district attorney in the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.

"There's not sufficient evidence to charge them at this time," Kochis said. He declined to elaborate.

Ontario police arrested the siblings at 7 p.m. Wednesday following a traffic stop in Rancho Cucamonga. Police said the siblings were accessories after the fact to the slaying of their mother's ex-boyfriend, Samuel Wiggins, 62, of Diamond Bar.

District attorney spokeswoman Susan Mickey said charges could be filed against the siblings in the future if police present further evidence of their alleged crimes.

Daniel Ortiz allegedly helped his mother dispose of Wiggins' remains, police said. Authorities have not detailed Chanel Ortiz's alleged role in the case.

Montelongo, who authorities have also identified as Montenegro, was arrested Sunday in Ontario after she allegedly exhumed Wiggins' dismembered remains in the backyard of a relative's home in the 700 block of North Holmes Avenue, then loaded the remains into a trash can.

Police said they arrested her after she wheeled the container about 200 yards down residential streets.

A cousin of Montelongo's who lives at the Holmes Avenue home said this week that Montelongo may have buried the remains about a month ago during what she said was a gardening project.

Police on Wednesday recovered Wiggins' head and arms at the Bell Gardens home of one of Montelongo's relatives.

Montelongo allegedly concealed the body parts in two large flower pots that she delivered to the home last month around Mother's Day, authorities said.

Authorities believe Montelongo stabbed Wiggins to death more than a month ago at his home in the 23700 block of Meadow Falls Drive, where the retiree lived alone. Authorities believe she also dismembered him there.

The couple met online, according to Wiggins' neighbors, and dated a short time. Authorities believe Montelongo might have killed Wiggins for financial gain.

Two of Wiggins' friends said today that among Wiggins' hobbies were woodworking and gardening.

Wiggins kept saws and other tools in his home to perform woodworking tasks, and he planted fruit trees and other plants in large pots that he kept in his backyard, said David Falcon, Wiggins' former next-door neighbor of 10 years.

"Over the last three years he'd been doing (gardening), to kind of occupy his time," Falcon said.

Falcon said Wiggins was like part of his family, and would often come to Falcon's family's home for barbecues and on holidays.

"We knew he didn't have any other family really except for his neighbors and his son, who he'd visit sometimes," Falcon said. "So he just kind of grew on us."

Montelongo has pleaded not guilty to murder in the case. She remains jailed at West Valley Detention Center, and she is next due Monday in West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga.

When she was first contacted by officers Sunday in Ontario, Montelongo said the remains in the trash can were those of a man who assaulted her.

Falcon said he never knew Wiggins to be a violent person. He said he believes Montelongo is "reaching" to cover for her alleged crimes.

"The Sam that I knew, my neighbor, that violence was not in him," Falcon said. "Even when he would get upset he wouldn't stand there and argue with you, he would walk away."

Montelongo is currently identified in charging documents as Montenegro based on initial information from police, though authorities now say her true last name appears to be Montelongo.

Authorities have also given conflicting statements as to her true age, it being either 51 or 44.

Kochis said an amended complaint will be filed next week after Montelongo's legal name and true date of birth are determined.

The amended complaint will also identify Wiggins as the victim, Kochis said.

Wiggins is currently identified in charging documents as "John Doe" because his remains were unidentified Tuesday when Montelongo was charged and arraigned.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A prosecutor said today that the head and arms of a slain Diamond Bar man were recovered by police Wednesday in two large flower pots at a Bell Gardens home.

The victim, 63-year-old Samuel Wiggins Jr., was allegedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend, Carmen Montelongo of Riverside, then dismembered, authorities said.

Authorities believe both the killing and the dismemberment may have occurred at Wiggins' home in the 23700 block of Meadow Falls Drive.

"Probably, but we can't be sure," said David Hidalgo, a supervising deputy district attorney in San Bernardino County.

Montelongo is accused of hiding Wiggins' head and arms in two separate flower pots that she delivered to a relative's home in Bell Gardens. She allegedly buried the rest of his body in the backyard of a relative's home in Ontario.

An autopsy was performed today on Wiggins' remains. Based on the examination, a medical examiner found that Wiggins' likely died from multiple stab wounds, said Deputy District Attorney Erica Gallegos, who attended the autopsy.

The autopsy also confirmed that Wiggins is the victim. That confirmation was made through fingerprinting and by observing dentures and unique surgical scars, Gallegos said.

Montelongo was arrested Sunday in Ontario after she allegedly exhumed Wiggins' body in the backyard of a relative's home in the 700 block of North Holmes Avenue, then loaded the remains into a trash can.

Police said they arrested her after she wheeled the container about 200 yards down residential streets.

A cousin who lives at the Holmes Avenue address said this week that Montelongo may have buried the body about a month ago during what she said was a gardening project.

Hidalgo said police aren't certain of Montelongo's motive in her alleged killing of Wiggins. But he said it may have been for financial gain.

Montelongo used Wiggins' credit cards after his disappearance and was also in possession of his car, Hidalgo said.

When she was arrested, Montelongo told an officer that the body in the trash can was that of a man who assaulted her, according to a declaration from Ontario police Detective Al Parra contained in Montelongo's court file.

Montelongo's son and daughter were arrested at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of being accessories to Wiggins' killing.

Daniel Ortiz, 25, and Chanel Alicia Ortiz, 26, have not been charged by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, but they may be charged after police deliver reports to prosecutors about the siblings' alleged crimes, Gallegos said.

Daniel Ortiz allegedly helped his mother deliver the flower pots in early May to a relative's home in the 6700 block of Foster Bridge Road in Bell Gardens. One of the pots contained Wiggins' head, and the other contained his arms, Gallegos said.

Gallegos said she did not know Chanel Alicia Ortiz's alleged involvement.

At Wiggins' home this afternoon, his son, daughter-in-law and neighbors were loading a moving truck with Wiggins' possessions.

His daughter-in-law, Michelle Wiggins, said Wiggins' landlord asked his family members to clear out the home as soon as possible.

Michelle Wiggins said that Samuel Wiggins is retired, and is a former serviceman who fought in the Vietnam War.

"He was a good man that didn't deserve this," she said. "He was a great father and father-in-law. ... He's going to be greatly missed."

Wiggins lived in the Meadow Falls Drive home for at least 10 years, neighbors said.

A woman who lives in the neighborhood said she believes Samuel Wiggins and Carmen Montelongo met through the Internet. She said she was unsure how long they dated, though she said she believed it was a short time.

The neighbor, who asked to remain unnamed, said Montelongo and her daughter also lived in Wiggins' home for a brief period.

Montelongo appeared in West Valley Superior Court this morning for a brief hearing in which Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Taft was confirmed as her attorney.

Montelongo's only statement during the hearing was "correct," which she said in response to a question from Judge Michael Libutti about whether she wished to be represented by Taft.

Montelongo is in custody in lieu of $1 million bail. She was handcuffed during the hearing and her legs were shackled.

She wore orange scrubs, which indicate she's being housed in the general population area of West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Taft said during the hearing that she plans to visit Montelongo on Friday. Taft withdrew Montelongo's request at her arraignment Tuesday for reduced bail.

Montelongo is set to return to court Monday. Her children may also be arraigned Friday or Monday if they are charged in the case, Gallegos said.

Authorities have given conflicting statements as to Montelongo's true name and age.

Montelongo has been identified in police news releases as Montenegro, but a police spokesman said yesterday that Montelongo is her true name and Montenegro is an alias.

In mail scattered in the suspect's front yard in the 6200 block of Indian Camp Road in Riverside, she is identified as Carmen Montelongo. She is also a plaintiff in a lawsuit in San Bernardino County under that name.

Parra identified her as Montelongo is his declaration of probable cause.

Montelongo also uses two different dates of birth - one that makes her 51, and another that makes her 44 - and authorities have given conflicting statements about which they believe is her true age.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A prosecutor said this morning that the head and arms of a Diamond Bar man were discovered by police Wednesday in two large flower pots at a Bell Gardens home.

The victim, 63-year-old Samuel Wiggins Jr., was allegedly killed by his girlfriend, Carmen Montelongo of Riverside, then dismembered, authorities said.

Authorities believe both the killing and the dismemberment may have occurred at Wiggins' home in the 23700 block of Meadow Falls Drive.

"Probably, but we can't be sure," said David Hidalgo, a supervising deputy district attorney in San Bernardino County.

Montelongo was arrested Sunday in Ontario after she allegedly exhumed Wiggins' body in the backyard of a relative's home in the 700 block of North Holmes Avenue, then loaded the remains into a trash can.

Police said they arrested her after she wheeled the container about 200 yards down residential streets.

A cousin who lives at the Holmes Avenue home said this week that Montelongo may have buried the body about a month ago during what she said was a gardening project.

Montelongo's son and daughter were arrested at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of being accessories after the fact to Wiggins' killing.

Deputy District Attorney Erica Gallegos said this morning that Daniel Ortiz, 25, and Chanel Alicia Ortiz, 26, have not been charged by her office.

She said charges can only be filed after Ontario police detectives deliver their evidence against the siblings to the her office.

Daniel Ortiz allegedly helped his mother deliver two flower pots to a relative's home in Bell Gardens in the 6000 block of Foster Bridge Road.

One of the pots contained Wiggins' head, and the other contained his arms, Gallegos said.

Gallegos said she did not know Chanel Alicia Ortiz' alleged involvement.

Montelongo appeared in West Valley Superior Court this morning for a brief hearing in which Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Taft was confirmed as her attorney.

Montelongo's only statement during the hearing was "correct," which she said in response to a question from Judge Michael Libutti about whether she wished to be represented by Taft.

Montelongo is in custody in lieu of $1 million bail. She was handcuffed during the hearing and her legs were shackled.

She wore orange scrubs, which indicate she's being housed in the general population area of West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Taft said during the hearing that she plans to visit Montelongo on Friday. Montelongo's request at her arraignment Tuesday for reduced bail was withdrawn today by Taft.

Montelongo is set to return to court Monday. Her children may also be arraigned Friday or Monday if they are charged in the case, Gallegos said.

Hidalgo said police and Gallegos were attending Wiggins' autopsy today at the San Bernardino County sheriff's crime lab in San Bernardino.

He said medical examiners may be able to determine Wiggins' cause of death.

Hidalgo said police aren't certain of Montelongo's motive in her alleged killing of Wiggins. But he said it may have been for financial gain.

Montelongo used Wiggins' credit cards after his disappearance and was also in possession of his car, Hidalgo said.

Authorities have given conflicting statements as to Montelongo's true name and age.

Montelongo has been identified in previous reports as Montenegro. A police spokesman said yesterday that Montelongo is her true name, while Montenegro is an alias.

Gallegos said today that she believes Montenegro is the woman's true name.

Montelongo also uses two different dates of birth -- one that makes her 51, and another that makes her 44 -- and authorities have given conflicting statements about which is her true age.

Pictured: Carmen Montelongo, Chanel Ortiz and Daniel Ortiz

Ontario police late Wednesday said they recovered additional body parts belonging to the man whose remains were discovered Sunday being wheeled in a trash can by his reputed ex-girlfriend.

Officers on Wednesday also arrested two children of the man's accused killer - Carmen Montelongo - on suspicion of acting as accessories to the killing.

The victim in the case was identified by police as Samuel Wiggins Jr., 63, of Diamond Bar, who was reported missing by his family May 1.

Police on Tuesday discovered what they described as a crime scene at Wiggins' home in the 23700 block of Meadow Fall Drive, according to a news release issued late Wednesday.

Detectives discovered additional body parts of Wiggins' on Wednesday at a home in Bell Gardens in the 6000 block of Foster Bridge Road. The body parts were buried in two large flower pots, according to the news release.

The body parts were delivered to the home by Montelongo and her son, police said.

"Later in the day, the San Bernardino County Coroner confirmed that the human remains found in the trash can with Montenegro, as well as those buried in the flower pots at the Bell Gardens residence were that of missing person Samuel Wiggins Jr. of Diamond Bar," the news release said. "The entire body has been recovered."

Montelongo's son and daughter were arrested at 7 p.m. Wednesday on suspicion of acting as accessories to Wiggins' killing, according to the news release.

Detectives uncovered evidence during their investigation that implicated Daniel Ortiz, 25, and Chanel Alicia Ortiz, 26, as accessories in the killing. The siblings are from Riverside, police said.

They were arrested without incident during a traffic stop by Ontario police officers at Jersey Boulevard and Milliken Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga, the news release said.

They are being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, police said.

Carmen Montelongo, of Riverside, was arrested Sunday after she allegedly exhumed body parts in the backyard of a relative's home in the 700 block of North Holmes Avenue in Ontario.

She exhumed the dismembered corpse with help from a possible day laborer, according to a cousin, and later loaded the remains into a trash can.

After the laborer left, Montelongo sought help from the cousin, Matthew Bell, who refused to help and called 9-1-1 as he left the home on foot.

Montelongo followed Bell, still asking for help, and wheeled the trash can behind her. She was arrested by Ontario police about 200 yards from the Holmes Avenue home.

Bell said he believes Montelongo may have buried the corpse about a month ago, when she dug several large holes in the backyard during what she said was a gardening project.

Montelongo was identified in earlier reports as Carmen Montenegro, which police now say is an alias. Montelongo is her true last name, said Ontario police Detective Jeff Crittenden.

Montelongo also uses two different dates of birth, one in October 1959 and another in March 1967, police said. Crittenden said he doesn't know which is Montelongo's true date of birth.

Montelongo is set to appear this morning in West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga for a hearing in which she may ask for reduced bail, which is currently set at $1 million. She remained jailed Wednesday at West Valley Detention Center.

One of Montelongo's neighbors, who asked to remain unnamed, said Montelongo has lived in a home in the 6200 block of Indian Camp Road in Riverside for about three years with her son and daughter.

She said Montelongo was soft-spoken and polite.

"I would never, ever expect this from Carmen -- never," the woman said. "Because she seems like she cared and would never hurt anyone."

Pictured is Carmen Montelongo's home in Riverside in the 6200 block of Indian Camp Road, where a neighbor said she's lived the last three years. Ontario police have been collecting evidence at the home in recent days.

Police in recent days have been collecting evidence at the Riverside residence of a woman who allegedly exhumed a dismembered corpse Sunday and wheeled it in a trash container down residential streets in Ontario.

Ontario police and the woman's neighbors said investigators have visited the home several times in recent days.

A neighbor said today that police appeared to take evidence from the home in the 6200 block of Indian Camp Road. A police spokesman declined to specify what investigators found.

Carmen Montelongo was arrested Sunday after she allegedly exhumed a dismembered corpse in the backyard of a relative's home in the 700 block of North Holmes Avenue.

She exhumed the corpse with help from a possible day laborer, according to her cousin, and later loaded the remains into a trash can.

After the laborer left, Montelongo sought help from her cousin, Matthew Bell, who refused to help and called 9-1-1 as he left the home on foot.

Montelongo followed Bell, still asking for help, and wheeled the trash can behind her. She was arrested by Ontario police about 200 yards from her home.

Bell said he believes Montelongo may have buried the corpse about a month ago, when she dug several large holes in the backyard during what she said was a gardening project.

The corpse remained unidentified today, though police suspect the body may be a 63-year-old ex-boyfriend of Montelongo's from Diamond Bar, said Detective Jeff Crittenden.

The man, who police have not named, was reported missing by his family May 1.

Montelongo was identified in earlier reports as Carmen Montenegro, which police now say is an alias. Montelongo is her true last name, Crittenden said.

Montelongo also uses two different dates of birth, one in October 1959 and another in March 1967, police said. Crittenden said he doesn't know which is Montelongo's true date of birth.

Three detectives were at Montelongo's home at about 4 p.m. today to interview a witness in the case who planned to meet them there, they said.

No one answered the front door this afternoon. The door jamb was broken, possibly from a forced police entry, and unopened mail, shoes and other debris were scattered in the front yard.

Some of the mail was addressed to Carmen Montelongo.

One of Montelongo's neighbors, who asked to remain unnamed, said Montelongo has lived in the home for about three years with her son and daughter, who are both in their 20s.

She said Montelongo was soft-spoken and polite.

"I would never, ever expect this from Carmen -- never," the woman said. "Because she seems like she cared and would never hurt anyone."

The neighbor said police have visited Montelongo's home several times in recent days. They took carpeting from the home as well as what appeared to be boxes of evidence, she said.

Crittenden said an autopsy is scheduled to be performed Thursday on the remains recovered Sunday from the trash container in Ontario.

Crittenden said medical examiners may render a preliminary opinion today on the man's cause of death.

The body will also likely be examined for scars, tattoos or other marks that could help investigators identify the corpse, Crittenden said.

Police have declined to discuss which body parts are missing from the remains.

Crittenden said police are conducting further investigative work in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

Investigators are visiting men associated with Montelongo to verify they're alive in order to isolate the potential identity of the victim, Crittenden said.