Alleged drug supplier on trial in meth theft slaying
An alleged drug supplier went on trial in Orange County on Thursday on charges that he killed a man he believed had stolen drugs from his dealers.
Jose Felix Zepeda, 41, is charged with felony special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery, felony kidnapping and felony conspiracy to commit a crime.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without parole. Zepeda has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors say that in April 2012, Zepeda supplied three pounds of methamphetamine to two men who were supposed to sell the drugs to a buyer.
Instead, the buyers stole the drugs at gunpoint, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Later, Zepeda and an unidentified accomplice allegedly kidnapped a man who took them and other accomplices to the Anaheim home of a man he suspected in the robbery.
They allegedly shot and killed the man, Leder Sanchez, in the street outside his home, according to the release.
Three others who were charged along with Zepeda have pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
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Twitter: @PalomaEsquivel
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