Tony Lopez Perez and Cori Desmond
SAN BERNARDINO -- A Redondo Beach man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder in the slaying of 28-year old Cori Daye Desmond.
Tony Lopez Perez, 35, entered his plea in a brief arraignment at San Bernardino County Superior Court.
He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23.
Perez faces one count of murder in the death of the Torrance bartender whose body was found dumped in a snowbank near Running Springs.
Authorities allege Perez, who was believed to have no prior relationship with the victim, tried to pick her up as she walked home from a Redondo Beach bar in the early morning hours of February 15.
When Desmond resisted, detectives suspect that Perez attacked her.
Sheriff's Lt. Rick Els said Perez and Desmond did not know each other and that the motive was a sex assault.
He was allegedly linked to the crime after an anonymous tipster reported seeing Perez scrubbing and cleaning the inside of his truck, which he sold shortly thereafter.
Detectives recovered the vehicle from its new owner, reportedly finding evidence from the crime.
Authorities say Perez lied to friends and co-workers about having a career in the military and law enforcement.
The father of 2 apparently told at least one friend that he quit his job as a sheriff's deputy after his partner was killed in the line of duty.
But there are no records of Perez serving as a sworn peace officer, said Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Paul Tanaka.
Perez has worked at various restaurants as a manager.
He is currently listed as the general manager and executive chef on the Web site for the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica.
Desmond, 28, was last seen February 15 leaving the Bac Street Lounge on Artesia Boulevard in Redondo Beach.
Her Jeep was found parked near the bar, but her body was found the next day in a bag at the side of a highway near Running Springs.
Investigators have not disclosed the cause of death, but said she appeared to suffer from blunt force trauma.
Mark Desmond printed at least 100 bumper stickers and handed them out to friends, family and businesses in Redondo Beach.
He says as long as he can keep this going, he won't give up.
"These people are still out there and this could happen to anybody's daughter... anybody."
Tony Lopez Perez, 35, entered his plea in a brief arraignment at San Bernardino County Superior Court.
He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23.
Perez faces one count of murder in the death of the Torrance bartender whose body was found dumped in a snowbank near Running Springs.
Authorities allege Perez, who was believed to have no prior relationship with the victim, tried to pick her up as she walked home from a Redondo Beach bar in the early morning hours of February 15.
When Desmond resisted, detectives suspect that Perez attacked her.
Sheriff's Lt. Rick Els said Perez and Desmond did not know each other and that the motive was a sex assault.
He was allegedly linked to the crime after an anonymous tipster reported seeing Perez scrubbing and cleaning the inside of his truck, which he sold shortly thereafter.
Detectives recovered the vehicle from its new owner, reportedly finding evidence from the crime.
Authorities say Perez lied to friends and co-workers about having a career in the military and law enforcement.
The father of 2 apparently told at least one friend that he quit his job as a sheriff's deputy after his partner was killed in the line of duty.
But there are no records of Perez serving as a sworn peace officer, said Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Paul Tanaka.
Perez has worked at various restaurants as a manager.
He is currently listed as the general manager and executive chef on the Web site for the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica.
Desmond, 28, was last seen February 15 leaving the Bac Street Lounge on Artesia Boulevard in Redondo Beach.
Her Jeep was found parked near the bar, but her body was found the next day in a bag at the side of a highway near Running Springs.
Investigators have not disclosed the cause of death, but said she appeared to suffer from blunt force trauma.
Mark Desmond printed at least 100 bumper stickers and handed them out to friends, family and businesses in Redondo Beach.
He says as long as he can keep this going, he won't give up.
"These people are still out there and this could happen to anybody's daughter... anybody."
