A grand jury in Puerto Rico indicted Felix Verdejo, once viewed as the heir apparent to Puerto Rico boxing greats Felix Trinidad Jr. and Miguel Cotto, in the death of Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz and her unborn child on Thursday. Verdejo, who could face the death penalty if convicted, has also been charged with carjacking and kidnapping resulting in death.
According to the criminal complaint filed Sunday night, Ortiz informed the married Verdejo last week that she was pregnant with his child. Prosecutors brought charges against Verdejo on Monday.
Verdejo, 27, arranged a Thursday meeting with Ortiz, and with the aid of another person, participated in Ortiz’s killing, the federal complaint alleges.
Ortiz’s body was recovered Saturday and identified early Sunday. Soon after, Verdejo’s accomplice started cooperating with the police, leading to the boxer’s arrest.
Verdejo, named ESPN’s 2014 prospect of the year after compiling a 106-17 amateur record and representing Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics, drew comparisons to the personable Trinidad as he piled up victories while being promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
Verdejo (27-2, 17 KOs) was being pointed to a late-summer fight date. Although Top Rank has not officially dropped him from its roster, pending the resolution of this case, officials did remove Verdejo from the company website and are privately telling people they don’t expect him to fight again.
Verdejo did not enter a plea at Monday’s court appearance, but he was denied bail, and he will remain in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Puerto Rico.
