Trial Date Set For Banning Man, Cohort, Accused Of Murder

BANNING, CA — An April 20 trial date was confirmed Thursday for a probationer and his cohort accused of gunning down a 60-year-old Cabazon man.

Victor Diaz Sandoval, 52, of Cabazon and Gilberto Garcia, 38, of Banning allegedly killed Ruben Garcia in 2021.

Both men are charged with murder, and Sandoval faces sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

During a trial-setting conference at the Banning Justice Center, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding moving forward with trial proceedings during the last two weeks in April, and both sides agreed to work toward clearing their calendars.

Sandoval is being held on $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, and Garcia is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Ruben Garcia — who is not related to the defendant — was found dead on July 31, 2021, two days after he had been reported missing, according to sheriff's Sgt. Ben Ramirez.

Court papers stated that the victim was fatally shot with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

A possible motive was not disclosed.

His body was found in an open desert area south of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks that are located between Almond and Olive streets in Cabazon, the sergeant said.

Gilberto Garcia was arrested in Jurupa Valley on Aug. 18, 2021, and Sandoval was taken into custody eight days later — both without incident.

Investigators were initially also searching for a third suspect, 33-year-old Pedro Urieta Angeles.

However, charges were never filed against him.

According to court records, Garcia has prior convictions for driving under the influence and resisting arrest. Records show that Sandoval also has a DUI conviction, for which he was on probation at the time of the alleged deadly shooting.