California Woman Killed in Murder-for-Hire Plot Allegedly Orchestrated by Estranged Husband Over Millions in Divorce Dispute

On January 10, 2025, Yesenia "Jessica" Torres, 44, was fatally shot outside a Burger Point restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in what authorities describe as a cold-blooded murder-for-hire scheme linked to a contentious divorce.

Torres had just left the restaurant with a cup of coffee when she was ambushed in broad daylight. Surveillance footage shows a gunman approaching her as she entered her Mercedes-Benz SUV, pointing a silenced weapon at her. She threw her coffee and tried to wrestle the gun away before being chased around the vehicle. A bystander attempted to intervene but fled when shots were fired. Torres was ultimately gunned down near the restaurant’s entrance.

Authorities allege her estranged husband, Sergio Reveles, 53, of Yucaipa, masterminded the killing amid a bitter legal battle over millions in shared assets. The murder was reportedly planned for over a year.

San Bernardino police announced arrests in the case, including Gerardo Llamas Torres, 31, of Bakersfield, the alleged gunman; Arnoldo Rueles, 54, of Los Angeles, the getaway driver; Reynaldo Ruelas, 37, of Los Angeles, who allegedly served as an intermediary; Juan Perez, 42, of Riverside, Reveles’ business partner; and Reveles himself.

During the arrests, authorities recovered $286,000 in cash, allegedly linked to the murder-for-hire plot.

All five men have been charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and other counts. Prosecutors have also filed special circumstances, including lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and murder committed during a robbery, making them eligible for the death penalty.

The suspects pleaded not guilty and are being held without bail. A bail hearing is scheduled for March 14.