A 74-year-old San Diego man already charged in a 2023 killing now faces three additional murder charges linked to cold cases spanning more than three decades, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Dwight William Rhone was arraigned on June 10, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The new charges include the 1993 strangulation death of Heriberto Ruiz, whose body was found in an alley near Acacia Street; the 2002 killing of Ronald Johnken, who died from blunt-force trauma to the head and was discovered in Chollas Creek; and the 2023 murder of Bernardo Moreno, who was shot in the base of the skull and found in burned debris near the Interstate 5 and State Route 905 interchange. Additionally, in December 2025, law enforcement agencies including the FBI executed a search warrant at Rhone's former residence on Newton Avenue in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood.
During the dig, investigators discovered the remains of Michael Brown. District Attorney Summer Stephan described the case as "horrific" and emphasized the commitment to seeking justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed.
Rhone is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 24, 2027. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives specifically seeking information about two individuals: Danice Galloway, whose body was found in 1989, and Antenogenes Gomez Velasquez, last seen in 2021.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact San Diego police or Crime Stoppers.