(Thechieftainspear) – A Victorville man has been found guilty of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme that led to the death of a Moorpark resident nearly 20 years ago, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.
Antoine Nehme, 73, was convicted by a jury on charges of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder for his role in the 2004 killing of Dennis Wood. Prosecutors argued that Nehme arranged for Wood’s murder to avoid repaying a financial debt, and jurors determined the crime was carried out for monetary gain.
Wood, who ran a prepaid phone card business, had lent Nehme $28,700. Instead of repaying the money, Nehme allegedly conspired to have him killed. On April 16, 2004, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies discovered Wood’s body at his residence. He had suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
For years, the case remained unsolved, but a break came in 2010 when a suspect in an unrelated Los Angeles case revealed that Alex Bracamonte, who worked at Nehme’s Ojai gas station, had carried out the killing at Nehme’s direction. Authorities continued their investigation, and in 2023, Bracamonte provided a full confession, sharing details only the actual shooter would know.
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Bracamonte pleaded guilty in May 2024 and later testified against Nehme during the trial.
“This conviction is the result of relentless work by Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives who refused to let this case go cold,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick. “Their dedication ensured that justice was finally served for Dennis Wood and his loved ones.”
Evidence presented in court highlighted the calculated nature of the crime, including the use of extreme violence and a breach of trust.
Nehme remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 20, where he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bracamonte is set to receive his sentencing on April 30 .
