Pomona Man Accused of Pasadena Murder Due in Court Today

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene near where the body of 22-year-old Julio Robles-Castaneda was found along Angeles Crest Highway last November. The case is being handled by Pasadena police. Photo by RMG News

A 30-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed a Pasadena man along Angeles Crest Highway is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday.

Prosecutors in Pasadena are expected to lay out their case against Daniel Cervantes to try to convince a judge there’s enough evidence to send him to trial for the murder of Julio Robles-Castaneda, 22, whose body was found early on November 6, 2019.

Cervantes was arrested the next day on Brigden Road in Pasadena, and has pleaded not guilty.

Although the scene where Robles-Castaneda’s body was found is high in local mountains the spot falls under Pasadena’s jurisdiction, Lt. Pete Hettema explained at the time.

Robles-Castaneda had been shot to death, according to the Los Angeles Coroner’s office.

Detectives believe that Robles-Castaneda was killed at the remote location, police said.

Cervantes has been held on a no-release bond of $2 million at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles since his arrest last year.

Police said the murder was not random in nature but the exact motive is not certain at this time, authorities said.