Avila Is Accused in More Incidents

One of two young girls whom Alejandro Avila was acquitted of molesting has come forward with additional allegations in the wake of his arrest in the kidnapping and slaying of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion, authorities said Thursday.

Detectives from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are interviewing the girl and other potential witnesses to determine if there is enough evidence to bring a new case against the Lake Elsinore factory worker.

“She’s making another statement about some things that happened to her,” said Michael Soccio, a chief deputy district attorney in Riverside County.

“We’re going to take a look at what she has to say and determine if there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Avila.”

Avila was being held without bail at Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana pending his arraignment today on charges that he sexually assaulted and killed Samantha after kidnapping her from her Stanton condominium complex July 15.

Avila has professed his innocence in Samantha’s death, but Orange County investigators say they have DNA and other evidence linking him to the crime.

Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas announced this week that his office will seek the death penalty for Avila.

Avila, 27, was acquitted last year by a Riverside County jury of molesting two 9-year-old cousins. One of the girls is the daughter of his former girlfriend Beth Veglahn and, until recently, lived in the same Stanton complex as Samantha.

Soccio would not identify the girl who lodged the new accusations. He said she came forward just days after Avila was arrested.

The new charges, if proved, could be used against Avila in either the guilt or penalty phases of the Orange County trial, depending on the discretion of the judge, Soccio said.

Riverside County authorities are not looking at any other cases, Soccio said.