PROVO — Ramon Alfredo Somoza is an ambitious man, a young entrepreneur with business ventures ranging from real estate to managing a landmark American Fork dance venue.
A few months ago, he celebrated his marriage with a big party at the Apollo Dance Hall, a brick building next door to a 4th District courthouse and a fixture in the city's center since 1903.
But police say the hall — used in its early years for LDS Gold and Green balls, and more recently for ballroom dance classes and even heavy metal concerts — became a crime scene Dec. 28 when Somoza, 29, allegedly shot and killed a former employee in a basement apartment there.
On Friday, Somoza was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, and abuse or desecration of a dead human body, a third-degree felony.
The body of Jesus Landin, 46, of Lehi, was discovered Jan. 7 near West Wendover, Nev., by local ranchers. It was wrapped in plastic garbage bags and duct tape. A white shower curtain had been placed over it to try and camouflage it in the snow, said prosecutor Chad Grunander.
Police believe Somoza shot Landin several times after Landin came to the Apollo to demand money he thought Somoza owed him. Somoza told investigators he acted in self-defense, according to a police affidavit.
But Grunander said Friday he is "confident in the charges."
Speaking at their Orem home, Somoza's parents, Ramon R. and Carmen Somoza, told the Deseret News their son was "a good man."
"What happened, we don't know, but we want to know what happened," said Ramon R. Somoza.
A woman who filed for a protective order against the younger Somoza in 2008 told the Deseret News she was too scared to talk about him. A judge denied the order, saying Somoza's alleged threats amounted to no more than yelling over the phone. He has no other prior criminal record.
Somoza operated the Apollo under a business license issued in August 2008 to Pelican Productions Corp. Another man listed on the license did not return a phone call. A Web site for the venue says it is available for weddings, sweet 16 parties, corporate events and concerts.
Somoza's wife was also listed as a contact for the Apollo. Reached by the Deseret News, she said she was "very busy" and hung up. A notice was left at the building's front door this week saying its power had been shut off due to non-payment.
Somoza's wife and other relatives came to court Friday to support Somoza at his first appearance to hear the charges against him. Landin's family lives in Mexico.
Judge Fred Howard appointed a public defender for Somoza, stating that the man has children and cannot afford his own attorney. Davis informed Somoza that if found guilty of murder, he would serve at least 15 years in jail and up to a life sentence.
Somoza and his wife were both licensed real estate agents and "worked as a team," according to Jose Valle, a real estate broker who dealt with the couple. He said he could not imagine Somoza committing such a crime.
"It basically shocked me," Valle said. "I would have never thought Ramon would do something like that or be capable of doing something like that. Part of me tells me it was a mistake."
"I think a lot of people are shocked the same as me over what happened," he added.
Several people said Somoza was also planning to set up a swap meet, possibly in the East Bay area of Provo. He even found time to take accounting classes, according to Valle.
"He was always honest in his dealings in everything," Valle said. "He was always looking for new ways to make money."
Somoza will appear in court again Jan. 27 for his next hearing in front of Judge Lynn Davis.
Contributing: Sara Lenz
e-mail: pkoepp@desnews.com