A former sheriff’s correctional deputy who was allegedly caught carrying more than 100 pounds of fentanyl on Interstate 10 waived his preliminary hearing today, advancing his case on the docket without the prosecution having to present any evidence.
Jorge Alberto Oceguera Rocha, 25, of Banning, is charged with transportation of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for sale and sentence-enhancing allegations of perpetrating a drug related offense while armed.
Rocha appeared with his attorney at the Riverside Hall of Justice Tuesday for what was scheduled as a status conference, but instead the defense notified the prosecution and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gary Polk that Rocha intended to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, which would determine whether the government had sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.
The unexpected and unexplained move was accepted by the judge, who scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for March 19.
The defendant is being held on $5 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.