Camp Pendleton Marines Suspected Of Drug Murder

SANTA ANA -- Two Camp Pendleton Marines who drove a third Marine to a secluded location in San Clemente in May and allegedly killed him in a dispute over drug money face arraignment in Santa Ana Friday.

Pfc. Alvin Reed Lovely, 20, and Lance Cpl. Christian Carney, 21, are charged with one count each of murder and criminal threats and the enhancement of personal use of a firearm in connection with the slaying of Pfc. Stephen Serrano, whose body was found face down off a trail in the 1000 block of Calle Cordillera on May 15.

Carney is also charged with attempting to dissuade a witness.

Serrano was killed because he allegedly stole money from Carney generated through the sales of cocaine and ecstasy at the base, said Farrah Emami of the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Lovely, of Dallas, Texas, and Carney, of Manorville, N.Y., were arrested shortly after the slaying, and bail was set at $1 million for both men.

Carney posted bail but was taken into custody by the Marines for investigation of sales of narcotics at the base.

A grand jury returned an indictment on July 10, Emami said.

During the week of May 9, Carney drove to Texas to pick up Lovely who had gone home for a visit and needed a ride back, Emami said.

While Carney was gone, Serrano -- along with a friend referred to as John Doe -- allegedly broke into Carney's room and stole money, Emami said.

When Carney and Lovely returned on May 13, a witness told them he had seen Serrano's friend breaking into Carney's room.

The witness did not identify Serrano, Emami said.

Carney and Lovely drove Doe, the friend, to a secluded area in San Clemente, and pointing a firearm at his head, threatened to kill him if he did not say who helped him steal the money from Carney's room, Emami said.

Fearing for his life, he told them it had been Serrano, she said.

Carney and Lovely drove Doe back to Camp Pendleton and called Serrano, using Doe's phone, telling him to meet them outside, Emami said.

After the drive to San Clemente, Serrano was shot once in the face and three times in the back, then left while the men fled, she said.

Carney allegedly met with Doe and told him not to tell anyone what happened.

Serrano's body, clad in desert-color fatigues, was found on May 15 by a jogger.

Carney's defense attorney, Jennifer Keller, could not be reached for immediate comment.

Lovely, who worked in motor transport, joined the Marines on May 7, 2007, officials said.

Serrano, a field radio operator, was married.

All three were members of the 2nd battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, military officials said.

Carney served in Iraq from March to October 2007, and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal.

He joined the Marines on Dec. 14, 2004.