Julio Rivera: Convicted shopkeeper charged for shooting friend in back of head after 'disrespected' encounter at drug-filled storage unit

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA: The 52-year-old man fatally shot his 40-year-old friend at a drug-filled storage unit, citing feelings of disrespect. 

Notably, Julio Cesar Rivera resided with his friend, Robert Miguel Ovalle in the storage unit while facing parole. 

To provide context, as of December 8, 2019, Rivera was dealing with parole violation charges after spending 26 years in prison for killing a shopkeeper in New York state. 

Additional charges against Rivera were disclosed in the recent court hearing as per Law&Crime.

Prosecutors report 'Rivera pulled out a gun and shot Ovalle'

In the recent court hearing concerning Julio Cesar Rivera, jurors on Thursday found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Additionally, during the penalty phase scheduled to commence on Tuesday, the state will seek the death sentence.

Authorities have also confirmed that the drug-filled storage unit was rented by Robert Miguel Ovalle. 

Prosecutors argued during the trial that Ovalle, known for dealing drugs, stored marijuana and heroin in the unit and allowed Rivera to stay there.

However, the defendant, feeling uneasy about sleeping in the unit, perceived it as a risk. 

Prosecutors stated, "Eventually, Rivera, who felt disrespected by his friend, pulled out a gun and shot Ovalle in the back of the head.”

Robert Ovalle's girlfriend witnessed shooting

Subsequently, when Ovalle's girlfriend witnessed the shooting, the deputies wrote, "The girlfriend said she immediately fled the storage unit, but Rivera followed her to her vehicle and accompanied her back to the victim’s home, saying he would protect her and her children.” 

They added, “She took Rivera’s gun from him and went to gather her children. Rivera left and went back to the storage unit; the girlfriend then started running toward a friend’s home.”

They continued, “She was intercepted by responding deputies, and when Rivera arrived back at 333 E. Highbanks [the storage unit address], he was met by deputies responding to the homicide scene.”

The defense allegedly shifted blame onto the girlfriend, presenting her with a September 2019 Facebook post (before the shooting) where she claimed to have fatally shot Ovalle. 

However, during her testimony, she vehemently denied shooting her boyfriend.

According to prosecutors, Rivera confessed in a recorded jailhouse phone call to having snapped and killed Ovalle.