SAN DIEGO – Three men accused of plotting to murder a Southern California couple in what a prosecutor called "another glaring example of cross-border violence" have pleaded not guilty in San Diego.
Prosecutors said Tuesday that 28-year-old Jorge Sillas, 29-year-old Victor Gonzalez, and 34-year-old Danny Cepallo (seh-PIE'-yo) were working on the orders of the Arellano Felix cartel, one of Mexico's oldest and once most powerful drug trafficking organizations.
Sillas' older brother, 33-year-old Juan Sillas, is one of Tijuana's most feared hitmen. He has not been charged but the complaint said he offered to pay an assassin $50,000 for the killings.
A San Diego Superior Court judge set bail at $1 million each, and scheduled a hearing for March 17.
If convicted, the men face up to life in prison.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
