David Alan Floyd pleaded not guilty Tuesday, March 14, during his arraignment in the murder of Angel Ponce, a 31-year-old man from Escondido, and Danielle Ricker, a 31-year-old female from Temecula. Floyd continues to be held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a felony settlement conference on May 16.
The remains of the two young people were found March 2, 2023 near the area of East Benton Road and Sage Road, in the unincorporated area of Hemet, according to the Riverside County Sheriff.
Floyd is also being charged with two sentence-enhancing allegations of discharging a firearm and causing great bodily injury, as well as special circumstances related to the possession of a firearm in violation of his domestic violence court order and his temporary restraining order.
On March 2, 2023, investigators located the remains of two people believed to be Angel Ponce, a 31-year-old male from Escondido, and Danielle Ricker, a 31-year-old female from Temecula. The remains were found near the area of East Benton Road and Sage Road, in the unincorporated area of Hemet, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s press release.
On February 26, 2023, at 4 pm, investigators from the Central Homicide Unit responded to the Southwest Sheriff’s Station where they learned of a report of two missing people who were presumed deceased.
On February 18, 2023, Ponce was reported missing by family members. Then, on February 23, 2023, Ricker was also reported missing. Both Ponce and Ricker lived at the same residence in Temecula and the evidence suggested they were deceased.
On February 27, 2023, investigators served a search warrant at the home of David Alan Floyd in the 34000 block of Galleron Street in Temecula. Floyd was arrested and booked into jail for his involvement in the murders of Ponce and Ricker.
Floyd was suspected as the result of a prior incident with Ricker in 2021. Floyd was charged with battery on a spouse/partner with Ricker in a Nov. 5, 2021 incident. Floyd’s battery charge was dismissed on Feb 8, with an agreement to enroll in a domestic violence program and he was found guilty of a reduced misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace. Floyd received a 36-month probation sentence with a promise to not have any contact with Ricker and to pay her restitution.
No other information has been released as to a motive or the way they were believed to have been killed or where they were believed to have been killed. This is an active investigation and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Deanne of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777.
