“Man Charged with New Murder Count in Inglewood Slaying of Anthony Soloc”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : LOS ANGELES — A man who was previously accused of the murder of a man found inside a 55-gallon drum on a beach in Malibu and a foiled smash-and-grab robbery in El Monte is now facing an additional murder charge. Joshua Lee Simmons, 37, will be arraigned next week on the new count, which relates to the killing of Anthony Soloc, 50, in Inglewood almost a year ago.

Simmons is scheduled to appear in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Friday to face the revised criminal complaint. The amended charges include a murder charge for the shooting of Anthony Soloc on January 20, 2023. The complaint also includes a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders, as well as accusations that Simmons personally used an assault weapon and a semi-automatic pistol.

Last October, Simmons was charged with murder and the use of a handgun in connection with the death of 32-year-old Javonnta Marshann Murphy. Murphy’s body was discovered on July 31 inside a 55-gallon drum on Pacific Coast Highway. It was a lifeguard who spotted the barrel the following morning and brought it to shore, only to find the body inside. According to the county medical examiner’s office, Murphy died from a gunshot wound to the head.

In addition to the murder charges, Simmons is also facing three counts of criminal threats involving different victims on July 27 and September 2. He is also charged with attempted robbery on September 2 in El Monte. Surveillance footage captured Simmons attempting to smash jewelry cases and steal merchandise from a store in El Monte. However, store employees fought back, striking him and pushing him out of the store. Simmons was seen using bear repellent spray during the crimes in September. Notably, he has prior convictions for grand theft in 2006 and burglary in 2008.

Simmons was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on October 3 and has been in custody since then. Another defendant, Dennis Eugene Vance, 41, is also involved in the case and is charged with being an accessory after the fact. Vance is currently free on bond.

This case has attracted significant attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and the multiple charges against Simmons. The arraignment next week will provide further insight into the ongoing investigation and the legal proceedings that follow..