Murder charge filed against Paso Robles man accused of killing Trevon Perry
San Luis Obispo County prosecutors on Wednesday filed a formal charge of murder against the man accused of killing Trevon Perry of Paso Robles, whose remains are believed to have been found in Riverside last week.
Three days after his arrest, Nicholas Christopher Ron Jr., also of Paso Robles, was charged by the county District Attorney’s Office with one count of murder, a charge that carries a sentencing enhancement for the alleged use of a firearm.
The complaint says Ron, 23, shot and killed Perry with a handgun.
Perry, 27, was reported missing in mid-March after he was last seen leaving a friend’s house.
His remains were allegedly found in a house in Riverside on June 18, Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis said at a June 26 news conference.
Officials have not released a motive for Perry’s alleged killing, but court records show that a few months before his disappearance, he testified for the prosecution in the murder case of Kejuan Bynum, who is accused of fatally stabbing Perry’s friend, Christopher Vento Wilson.
Ron, who is believed to have been an acquaintance of Perry’s, was arrested Sunday at his place of employment in Paso Robles following a months-long, multi-agency investigation and the service of dozens of search warrants across the state.
San Luis Obispo Superior Court records so not show any recent criminal history for Ron, who is scheduled to be arraigned in court Thursday.
If convicted, Ron faces the possibility of life in prison.
He is currently being held in San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail.
On Tuesday, police also arrested Vivianna Rodriguez, 24, also of Paso Robles, who the department says acted as an accessory to Perry’s murder. Officials have not detailed Rodriguez’ alleged role.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Rodriguez was no longer listed in County Jail custody and assistant district attorney Eric Dobroth said she was released after posting bail. It was not immediately clear what bail amount she posted.
Dobroth said that because Rodriguez is out of custody on bail with a tentative court date in August, prosecutors have additional time to file formal charges in court.
Hours after the announcement of Ron’s arrest Monday, Perry’s family held a community vigil in Downtown City Park in Paso Robles. As many as 400 people gathered there to honor him.
Attendees held posters decorated with Bible verses and bearing messages including “Justice 4 Tre.”
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 4:29 PM.
