The suspect arrested in connection with the killing of a man reported missing last week has been charged with murder and animal abuse, as well as aggravating hate crime.

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony charge against Tyler Grant Stevens of Paso Robles on Tuesday afternoon.

A hate crime enhancement has also been added. The criminal complaint alleges that the crime was committed with a knife on or about Oct. 23, “in whole or in part due to the actual or perceived sexual orientation of the victim.”

Stevens was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail early Sunday morning, a day after Atascadero police. I found the body of Todd Joseph Pinion A remote area near Tassajara Creek. he was 34 years old reported missing on October 30 and was last seen a week ago, according to police.

Atascadero Police Department

After a thorough investigation, officers say they identified Stevens as a person of interest in Pinion’s disappearance.

A separate animal cruelty charge was also filed in connection with the victim’s dog, Spock, who police said was found dead on Highway 101 near Cuesta Grade on Halloween.

The charging document states that in taking responsibility for or custody of Pinion’s dog, Stevens “inflicted unnecessary suffering on that dog, or inflicted unnecessary cruelty on that dog, or mistreated the dog in any way, or failed to provide appropriate food or drink to the dog.” or shelter or protection from the weather.

Stevens has a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law for a 2022 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, according to the DA’s office.

Stevens is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in a San Luis Obispo courtroom.

He is currently being held without bail in the San Luis Obispo County Jail.