A former Texas sheriff’s deputy has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a California man over the summer, prosecutors said Monday.
Giovanni Ceja, 31, pleaded not guilty in Riverside County in connection with the Aug. 7 death of Gilberto Sotelo, the Riverside County District Attorney’s office said.
Ceja is charged with second-degree murder and hit-and-run involving death.
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Giovanni Ceja, 31, a former Texas law enforcement officer, pleaded not guilty Monday to the hit-and-run death of a California man over the summer. (Riverside County District Attorney)
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office previously told Fox News Digital that Cejas was visiting family in Riverside when the incident occurred. He borrowed a family member’s vehicle and drove to a bar Aug. 6.
He allegedly consumed “multiple” alcoholic drinks before driving back to a family member’s home, authorities said. During the drive, he ran into Sotelo, who was putting gas into his truck on the side of a road.
“Ceja did not stop to render aid and fled the scene,” the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said.
Giovanni Ceja was charged with murder, hit-and-run causing death and driving under the influence causing bodily injury. (Bexar County Sheriff’s Office)
Sotelo died at the scene. Ceja was arrested a week later in San Antonio, Texas and extradited to California.
He resigned from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in lieu of termination and was given a dishonorable discharge.
