Founder Of Coachella Valley Judo Named In Murder Conspiracy

RIVERSIDE – Glen Heggstad is a well-respected local businessman. Hefounded Coachella Valley Judo and Jiu-Jitsu in Palm Desert. Now, the California Attorney General’s Office is accusing Heggstad of conspiring to murder Cabazon Indian vice chairman Fred Alvarez.

Alvarez was murdered at a Rancho Mirage home on July 1st, 1981. His friend, Ralph Boger, and Alvarez’s girlfriend, Patty Castro, also died.

The state Attorney General’s office says former Cabazon Indian security chief Jimmy Hughes offered to hire Heggstad to murder Alvarez.

Fred Alvarez was going to blow the whistle on illegal weapons manufacturing deals signed off by Cabazon tribal leadership.

It was Jimmy Hughes, arrested Saturday in Miami, who actually pulled the trigger, according to detectives. Hughes was on his way to Honduras where he runs Jimmy Hughes Ministries.

Investigators believe Heggstad knew about the murder plot but did nothing to stop it.

Thebusiness he foundedis inside Gold’s Gym on Country Club Drive in Palm Desert. Gold’s Gym management refused to comment on camera. Heggstad has instructed martial arts there for years. They explained Heggstad’s business is inside their facility but is independently managed. Owners of Coachella Valley Judo and Jiu Jitsu say Heggstad has retired from daily operations at the business.

News Channel 3 talked to Glenn Heggstad on the phone Monday night before he was accused of murder conspiracy. He claimed he cooperated with detectives, telling them Hughes told him that he had murdered Alvarez. Heggstad also claimed he had nothing to do with the plot to killthree people.

The National Geographic Channel aired a segment last year on his 2001 escape from Colombia. Rebels took Heggstad hostage and tortured him during a cross-continent motorcycle ride.

Heggstad claims to be a former Hell’s Angel. Though he’s accused of murder conspiracy, Glenn Heggstad is not under arrest for any crime at this time.

News Channel 3 tried repeatedly Thursday to reach Heggstad on the phone and in person. He did not return calls.

This information comes from the felony complaint filed at Larson Justice Center in Indio Thursday morning. The warrant affidavit written by Riverside County Sheriff’s detectives is currently sealed at the Riverside Courthouse.

You can view the three-page affidavit here: PAGE 1PAGE 2PAGE 3.