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Woman waives hearing, will stand trial in heroin case

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By Neal Putnam

A Ramona woman accused of selling heroin, occasionally out of a thrift shop in Ramona, waived having a preliminary hearing and agreed to stand trial on all charges.

Monica Leslie Tejero, 46, pleaded not guilty last Friday before a San Diego Superior Court judge set a trial date for Nov. 14.

Tejero and her attorney agreed to have her stand trial without holding the preliminary hearing with witnesses and testimony.

Tejero is the lone defendant left facing charges after two others pleaded guilty July 29 to one count each of selling heroin. They were fined and placed on three years probation.

Chris Melero, 34, of Ramona, and Zazil Saul, 22, of Imperial Beach, were sentenced to time already served following their arrests on June 2.

Tejero is no longer employed at the Ramona Food & Clothes Closet at 773 Main St. Court records allege Tejero sold heroin to an informant four times either in the store or in the parking lot outside.

The largest sale of heroin, 17.7 grams, allegedly occurred at her apartment on March 14 to an informant. The other alleged sales took place earlier in February and March with smaller amounts of the drug.

A message was left with Tejero’s attorney, but he couldn’t be reached for comment. She remains free on $100,000 bond.

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