Four plead not guilty in double-homicide case

Four men pleaded not guilty Friday to murder, kidnapping and other charges in connection with the deaths of two victims whose badly burned bodies were found in a torched vehicle last month in northern Merced County.

Heliodora Silva Arreola, 37; Gerardo A. Silva, 25; Salvador Silva, 23; and Monico Pena, 40, entered pleas Friday morning before Judge Mark V. Bacciarini in Merced Superior Court, the Merced County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

All four defendants are charged with two counts each of murder, kidnapping and false imprisonment, as well as single felony counts of arson and possession of marijuana for sale, according to court documents.

The defendants have been charged with the deaths of Reyes Garcia Barona, 29, of Atwater, and Rudolpho Barona, 32, of Sacramento. The victims’ bodies were found Oct. 20 inside a torched vehicle in an orchard off East Monte Vista Avenue, east of Denair, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said.

Investigators found several firearms and other unspecified evidence at the scene, as well as evidence of at least two crime scenes within the orchard.

Bacciarini ordered bail set for all four defendants at $2 million each, authorities confirmed.

The Sheriff’s Department said the deaths may be connected to some type of drug debt, but it does not believe there are any gang connections in the case. Both victims were last seen by their families early on Oct. 18. They told relatives they were going to get food, and then never returned, deputies said.

Investigators said the victims were kidnapped, held against their will and eventually murdered. Deputies have not commented on the cause of death.

During the investigation, detectives seized more than 150 pounds of marijuana buds from a home in the 6800 block of California Street in Winton, along with more than $4,000 in cash and numerous guns.

Investigators also searched a home in the 3400 block of Manchester Road in Atwater during the investigation but have not said how they believe that house was connected.

All four defendants are due back in court Dec. 19 for further proceedings. All four remained in custody Friday evening at the Merced County Jail.

This story was originally published November 21, 2014 at 8:47 PM with the headline "Four plead not guilty in double-homicide case."