LOS ANGELES, California – A man previously charged in connection with a murder and a thwarted robbery is now facing an additional murder charge. Joshua Lee Simmons, 37, is set to be arraigned next week on a new murder count involving the killing of Anthony Soloc in Inglewood, nearly a year ago. The amended criminal complaint includes a murder charge with a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders, along with accusations of using an assault weapon and a semi-automatic pistol.
Simmons was previously charged with murder and a handgun use allegation in connection with the death of Javonnta Marshann Murphy, who was found inside a 55-gallon drum on the Pacific Coast Highway. Investigators determined that Murphy was shot, killed and placed inside the barrel. Simmons is also facing charges of criminal threats and attempted robbery in separate incidents.
In the El Monte incident, Simmons was seen on video allegedly attempting to rob a jewelry store and using bear repellent spray. He had prior convictions from 2006 for grand theft and 2008 for burglary. He was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has remained in jail since then.
A second defendant, Dennis Eugene Vance, 41, is charged with being an accessory after the fact. He is currently free on bond. Simmons is scheduled to be arraigned on the new murder count in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom next Friday.
In all, Joshua Lee Simmons is facing multiple serious charges, including murder, attempted robbery, criminal threats, and the use of deadly weapons. His criminal history and the nature of the crimes he is accused of underscores the severity of the situation.