Wildomar Man's Accused Killer Denies Murder Charge

MENIFEE, CA — A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 58-year-old Wildomar man during a confrontation near Menifee pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other offenses.

Arturo Recinos, 52, of Menifee was arrested earlier this month following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into the slaying of Jesus Carlon.

Along with the murder count, Recinos is charged with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

He was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Elaine Kiefer, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Oct. 25 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta and ordered that the defendant remain held on $1 million bail at the nearby Byrd Detention Center.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Ben Ramirez, shortly before 10 a.m. on Sept. 5, deputies were called to a residence in the 28800 block of Mapes Road, near Menifee Road, to investigate reports of a fatal shooting.

Ramirez said Carlon was found dead at the scene.

Recinos was also at the location and detained for questioning. He was formally arrested the following day. A possible motive for the shooting was not disclosed.

According to court records, Recinos has prior convictions for child abuse, driving under the influence, vandalism and theft of utilities.