Brothers plead not guilty in SLO County homicide case
Two brothers accused in the murder of a Coalinga woman and of torching her car pleaded not guilty to all charges on Wednesday.
Alejandro Soriano Ortiz, 45 of Coalinga, and Celestino Soriano Ortiz, 40 of Santa Maria, were both arrested Oct. 11 in connection to the killing of 50-year-old Isabel Lucas Velasco, who had been missing since she disappeared from an Arroyo Grande jobsite about a month ago.
Alejandro Soriano Ortiz was believed to be Velasco’s boyfriend, a court document said.
The brothers allegedly discussed fleeing the country after Alejandro allegedly “beat the living daylight” out of Lucas Velasco, according to court documents.
Lucas Velasco’s purse and identification was found with human remains wrapped in black plastic in a clandestine grave along Highway 198 west of Coalinga. The plastic was consistent with heavy-duty, black trash bags found inside Alejandro’s truck, according to court documents.
According to the complaint filed by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, Alejandro allegedly filed a fraudulent insurance claim after he allegedly murdered Lucas Velasco and set fire to her car. He was charged with murder, arson with the intent to defraud and insurance fraud.
His brother, Celestino, was also charged with arson with the intent to defraud and accessory after the fact, meaning he is alleged to have helped his brother hide his crimes the complaint said.
Both brothers were also charged with forging a United States Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, which included a counterfeit government seal, the complaint said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement had issued detainers for both men to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Murder and arson are exceptions to the state law that prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE detainers.
In the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Wednesday, both brothers entered not guilty pleas and denied any advancements.
They will be required back in court on Nov. 20 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 6 for a pre-preliminary hearing.
