SAN ANTONIO – A former Bexar County Sheriff’s Office corporal arrested last year has been convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a case out of California.
Giovanni Ceja, 31, was sentenced to 15 years to life for the murder of 38-year-old Gilberto Sotelo on Aug. 7, 2023.
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Ceja borrowed a vehicle from a relative and struck and killed a man on the side of Interstate 215 in Riverside County. He fled from the scene. However, Sheriff Javier Salazar said pieces of the vehicle were left behind.
Between Aug. 6 and Aug. 14, Ceja returned to San Antonio and resumed his duties with the department.
On Aug. 14, BCSO received a call from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, stating it had an active murder warrant for Ceja.
After he was arrested without incident, Ceja was booked and extradited to California to face charges and go to trial.
Ceja was a 5-year veteran with the sheriff’s office before resigning from his position. He was hired on Jan. 6, 2018.
Giovanni Ceja, former Bexar County (Texas) sheriff’s correctional corporal, was convicted of 2nd-degree murder & sentenced to 15 years to life for the 8/7/23 killing of 38-year-old Gilberto Sotelo.
— Riverside County DA's Office (@RivCoDA) January 31, 2024
Visit https://t.co/yHAeihGlAi & type "Ceja" in the search for more information. pic.twitter.com/WvdTEi6jPf
