Court hearings resulting from two major stories in Menifee are scheduled later this week.
Attorneys for Melody Valdez, accused in the death of 13-year-old Cody Villatoro in a hit-and-run collision on Sept. 15, will be in Riverside court this Thursday, Oct. 22, for a felony settlement conference. Villatoro was riding an e-bike at the intersection of Holland Road and Evans Road when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Valdez, who was fleeing from police.
Valdez, a 21-year-old from Temecula, previously entered not guilty pleas to charges of murder, destruction of property, and assault on a second person.
In a felony settlement conference, attorneys from both sides confer in the presence of the judge and plea offers might be discussed. In addition, court records show that a hearing will be held on a motion for bail review. Valdez is incarcerated in Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside with bail set at $1 million.
On Friday, former Planning Commissioner Randy Madrid will be in Riverside court for a warrant arraignment to answer four felony charges related to his candidacy for a City Council seat. Madrid, accused of registering as a voter and applying for City Council under a false address, faces charges including:
— Perjury on or about June 2, 2026
— Causing, procuring, or allowing false voter registration on or about June 2
— Perjury, on or about July 14, 2026
— Filing a false nomination or declaration of candidacy, on or about Aug. 5, 2026
Even though he faces criminal charges. Madrid’s name remains on the ballot as a District 4 candidate. He was not invited to the Menifee 24/7 Candidates Forum, and his campaign statement is not included in the Menifee 24/7 Voters Guide.
A third court case involving a local defendant was scheduled for Tuesday but was cancelled. A case management conference was vacated and a trial setting conference was scheduled for Dec. 7 in a civil suit filed by an alleged sexual assault victim of former Menifee Police Department officer Juan Pesina.
Attorneys for the plaintiff, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, is demanding a jury trial regarding charges against Pesina for sexual battery and false imprisonment on Feb. 9, 2023. The suit also names as a defendant the City of Menifee, claiming negligence on the part of Menifee Police Department leadership.
A second alleged victim, Christina Whitton, has also filed a civil suit against Pesina. She alleges that on Sept. 11, 2023, Pesina followed her from a gas station to a nearby residence and assaulted her during an illegal search. She is seeking general and punitive damages against Pesina and other officers involved in the incident. She is also suing the City of Menifee for alleged negligence in supervision of Pesina. A jury trial is set for June 11, 2027.
In the criminal lawsuit, the District Attorney charged Pesina with 15 felony counts in alleged assault against three victims. The charges include rape, sodomy, oral copulation, assault with intent to commit rape, burglary, and extortion. He is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 9.
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