On the morning of February 27, 1985, 16-year-old Genaro Samano Villanueva was taken into
San Diego police custody after attempting to steal a radio from a car near his home. Released into the custody of his high school vice principal, Villanueva left school and went to
Balboa Park. There he was spotted by Canadian tourist Jack Beamer prowling around inside the
motor home of Beamer's friends. After Beamer accosted him, Villanueva fled the scene. Huffman, who was cast in the play
Of Mice and Men at the
Old Globe Theatre and was set to begin work on the television miniseries
North and South the following week, On June 24, 1986, Villanueva was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison and admitted to the
California State Prison, Centinela. On December 9, 2011, he was denied parole for 15 years. ==Broadway stage credits==