DA's Office: Mexican Drug Trafficking Cartel Member Among Four Men Indicted in 2004 Cold Case

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat 

Four men accused in the beating and stabbing death of a man outside a Chula Vista restaurant more than 20 years ago entered not guilty pleas Tuesday morning. 

The defendants arraigned include 50-year-old José Roque García, 42-year-old Carlos Herrera, 41-year-old Marco Herrera, and 43-year-old Franco Dominguez.

The victim, 22-year-old Ryan Cunningham was at La Bella's Pizza in Chula Vista March 20, 2004, socializing, hanging out with people when he was murdered, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. 

"He accidentally cut through a room where a private party was going on. That private party was a baby shower for the girlfriend of Mr. Garcia, who was one of the individuals indicted today for the murder," said Deputy DA Robert Eacret.

"After the baby shower was over, Mr. Garcia and his girlfriend confronted Mr. Cunningham, accused him of stealing the keys to her Porsche. There was some sort of argument going on, and Mr. Garcia, who's a high ranking member of a Mexican drug trafficking cartel called several local street gang members who had been working for him to come attack Mr. [Cunningham], that included Carlos Herrera, Marco Herrera, and Franco Dominguez, who were also indicted by the grand jury for the murder," he said.

They showed up armed. They beat Mr. Cunningham with a two by four. They shocked him with what witnesses described as a cattle prod. Beat him with a metal chair as he sat on the patio of La Bella's and ultimately fatally stabbed him in the chest," he added.

During Tuesday's hearing, the judge ordered the media to tile the faces of all four defendants. All of the defendants face a first degree murder charge.

It's unclear what evidence led to their arrests.

Last year, the District Attorney's Office and Chula Vista Police Department called on the public for information leading to the identification of Cunningham's attackers. The DA's Office indicated several private parties, including a baby shower, were being held at the restaurant and said the murder was witnessed by multiple employees and customers.

Sources: CBS 8,  Borderland Beat Archives