Arraignment Postponed For Ex-LAPD Officer Charged With Murder

Arraignment for Henry Solis, 27, was postponed until June 30. He is charged with one count each of murder and assault with a firearm, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Solis, bearded, shackled and wearing orange jail garb, responded in the affirmative when asked by the judge if he consented to the the delay.

Solis, who was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, is due back in court Tuesday for a hearing in which prosecutors are expected to argue that his bail be increased to $10 million.

Deputy District Attorney Sandi Roth told a judge the increase was warranted because Solis had "extended family'' in Texas and Mexico, as well as relatives in the Los Angeles area, and she was concerned they could "rally'' and come up with enough money to spring the defendant on the lower amount.

If that happens, and Solis flees, "we may not have another chance to prosecute him.''

Solis was arrested May 26 by Mexican authorities in the border city of Juarez and was then deported to the United States, where he was booked into the El Paso County Jail.

Pomona police detectives went to Texas to bring Solis back to Southern California. Deputy Chief Michael Olivieri announced about 2:40 p.m. Thursday that Solis had been returned to the Southland and booked into the Pomona city jail.

He faces life in prison if convicted.

Solis had been staying with relatives in the Juarez area prior to his arrest, FBI officials said. Special Agent Scott Garriola said Solis was "moved from one house to another'' to help him avoid capture.

Solis allegedly killed Salome Rodriguez Jr., 23, while a probationary officer in the LAPD's Devonshire Division in the San Fernando Valley. The former Marine was fired by the department soon after becoming a fugitive.

Federal authorities said Solis fled to Mexico with the help of his father, Victor, 53, who was convicted by an El Paso federal jury Thursday of lying to the FBI about helping his son escape.

He was arrested after the father and son were spotted by a security camera as they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on March 14.

Victor Solis has an Aug. 20 sentencing date. He is facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.