HMB Man Accused of Hiding Drugs in Car

The second day of a jury trial was completed yesterday for 32-year-old parolee and alleged gang member Raudel Garcia Villegas, who was pulled over by officers Nov. 26, 2011, at Kelly Avenue and Main Street in Half Moon Bay for drifting over double yellow lines.

Officers also noticed Villegas making movements with his hands toward two backseat passengers and found the driver attempting to hide cocaine while covered in marijuana leaf and bud, according to a San Mateo County Sheriff's Office police report. They found the cocaine on the floorboard, and they also found a Ziploc bag of marijuana.

According to a report from San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, Villegas said to the officers, “The cocaine wasn’t mine. You planted it on me.” Villegas was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and was taken to county jail.

At the start of the trial yesterday morning, the court issued several additional rulings on the trial motions. The court excluded any reference to the defendant’s gang status or parole status.

Villegas faces a second strike sentence. He may be impeached with his two prior felony convictions for felony assault in 2001 and 2006, but not with his misdemeanor convictions for vandalism or assault on a police officer.

Two witnesses testified yesterday in court: Deputies Michael Marty and John Lothian.

The defense case also started yesterday, with a testimony from the registered owner of the car driven by the defendant. The registered owner testified that he tinted the windows on the car, and you would be unable to see through them with a spotlight because they are “limo tinted,” according to a DA report.

He also testified that he rented a room to the defendant for the last three months, did not know the defendant’s true name, and only knew the defendant as “Mousey,” the defendant’s gang moniker.

At the end of the afternoon, the court heard arguments whether or not the defendant’s next witness, Sergio Betancourt, a validated Sureno gang member, will be asked about his gang member status and potentially bias based on that fact.

The trial resumes for another day for the court’s ruling on the gang issue followed by completion of the defense case.

The defendant Villegas remains in custody on $50,000 bail.

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