Fugitive charged in killing of Newport man is extradited from Nevada

A fugitive wanted in connection with the slaying of an 81-year-old Newport Beach man was extradited this week to Orange County from Nevada.

Anthony Thomas Garcia, 57, of Carson City has been charged with one felony count of special-circumstances murder for financial gain, the Orange County district attorney’s office said Friday.

He is suspected of killing Abelardo “Abby” Estacion, who was found dead at his 16th Street home April 11, 2015. Details about the slaying and Garcia’s alleged connection to it or Estacion have not been made public.

Nevada deputies arrested Garcia on July 28 in the Nevada capital with help from Newport Beach police. He was extradited to Orange County on Wednesday.

If convicted, Garcia could face a maximum sentence of life in state prison without possibility of parole. He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 16.

Detectives have been working on the case for 16 months.

Estacion was a member of the Santa Ana Elks Lodge. He originally was from the Philippines and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.