Three Additional Suspects Identified in 2016 Cold Case Murder; Two Arrested Locally and One Awaits Extradition in Georgia
June 18, 2026 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that through 
continued investigation, detectives with the Sheriff’s Cold Case Homicide Team identified three additional suspects in the 2016 murder of a 54-year-old Apple Valley man, Michael Brooks.
Alexander Francisco Cortez was located in Pendergrass, Georgia, and taken into custody on Friday, June 5, 2026. He awaits extradition back to San Bernardino County for murder.
Related: San Bernardino County Homicide Detectives Arrest Suspect in 2016 Cold Case Murder of Apple Valley Man
Denise Reames-Watkins was arrested on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Lucerne Valley; and on June 16, 2026, the third suspect, Hector Rodriguez, was located and arrested in Adelanto. Reames-Watkins and Rodriguez were booked in at the High Desert Detention Center for murder and remain in custody on $1,000,000 bail.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at: https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to: www.wetip.com.
DATE: February 5, 2026
INCIDENT: Cold Case Murder – Suspects Arrested
LOCATION: 12600 Block of Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley
SUSPECT 1: Michael Austin Roberts, 27-years-old, Resident of Apple Valley
SUSPECT 2: Alexander Francisco Cortez, 30-years-old, Resident of Pendergrass, GA
SUSPECT 3: Denise Reames-Watkins, 70-years-old, Resident of Lucerne Valley
SUSPECT 4: Hector Rodriguez, 30-years-old, Resident of Adelanto
VICTIM(S): Michael Brooks, 54-years-old, (at time of death), Resident of Apple Valley
Refer: Detective Malcolm Page or Sergeant Justin Giles
Station: Homicide Detail
Phone No. 909-890-4904
Case No. DR# 181604961 H#2016-064
Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
