The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office said Fausto Ortego Maldonado pleaded not guilty to the murder of Primitivo Pacheco Ortega.
Ortega’s body was found with multiple stab wounds on July 7, off the side of Estrella Road near Hog Canyon Rd. in rural Paso Robles.
The sheriff’s office said Maldonado was reportedly already in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail when deputies arrested him for murder.
Maldonado is a convicted felon and is in the country illegally. He is currently wanted by ICE and has been previously deported.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has not said the motive for the killing.
Maldonado is currently being held without bail and is due back in court on Oct. 15.
Previous coverage:
Arrest made in north SLO County homicide investigation
Sheriff’s office identifies victim in suspicious death investigation
Death of man found near side of road in rural Paso Robles ruled a homicide
