Escort Service Driver Admits Fatally Stabbing Man When Stripper Refused Sex

An escort service driver who fatally stabbed a Corona man during a confrontation over a stripper's refusal to provide sexual favors pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter.

James Michael Apodaca, 33, of Corona killed 25-year-old Robert Alexander in November.

During a status hearing before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez, the prosecution and defense announced that a plea deal had been reached in the case.

Under the agreement, Apodaca admitted the manslaughter count and a sentence-enhancing weapon allegation in exchange for the District Attorney's Office dropping a second-degree murder charge.

Hernandez scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 20. The stipulated sentence is seven years in prison, though the judge has discretion to increase or reduce the term of incarceration.

Apodaca remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

During a January preliminary hearing, Deputy District Attorney Elan Zekster described the defendant as the "muscle" for an Inland Empire-based escort service that "scammed" customers by suggesting they would receive sex for money, but instead were only offered stripe tease acts that lasted 30 minutes and cost $200.

"It's an extremely dangerous situation when you are scamming men for money," the prosecutor said.

According to testimony, Alexander had contacted the escort business around 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 15, seeking female companionship. A woman identified only as "Maria" was sent to the victim's apartment in the 1600 block of Via Pacifica.

Maria testified that Apodaca -- who goes by the moniker "Monster" because of his 6-foot, 380-pound frame -- was her driver that morning.

The witness said she informed Alexander that there would be "no touching" while she stripped and danced. Around 3 a.m., she finished and grabbed $200 that Alexander had laid on his dresser. She said the victim stopped her from leaving his apartment and demanded his money back.

The woman alleged she feared being beaten and tried to return the money, at which point Apodaca knocked on the front door. According to the prosecution, the defendant was armed with a knife and brandished it, insisting that Alexander allow Maria to leave the residence -- with the money.

Alexander retrieved a box cutter and held it behind his back, telling Apodaca to back away from his door, but the defendant instead reached inside, apparently to grab Maria's arm.

Zekster said Alexander swung the box cutter at the defendant's hand, slicing him between two fingers. Apodaca lunged at the victim with his knife, stabbing him in the neck and severing his carotid artery, the prosecutor said.

The defense argued Apodaca was protecting himself.

– City News Service.