(WWJ) An Ohio man will serve life in prison for his role in a Lenawee County cold case murder. The Michigan Attorney General's Office said 53-year-old Richardo Sepulveda learned his sentence Friday.
In April, Richardo Sepulveda, of Cincinnati, was found guilty of murdering a man whose dismembered remains were discovered by a Blissfield Township farmer in his cornfield back in 1997.
Authorities said the victim, who has never been identified, was missing his head and hands, and officers found what appeared to be saw striations on the ends of the bones.
Officials believe the murder was connected to international drug trafficking.
Sepulveda was charged in January of 2023, along with his brother, 51-year-old Michael Sepulveda of Toledo, Ohio. The brother pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last summer.
Sepulveda was convicted of the following: one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder; one count of Assault with Intent to Maim; one count of Conspiracy to Commit Assault with Intent to Maim; one count of Tampering with Evidence; and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence.
“Every victim deserves to have their case thoroughly investigated and pursued,” AG Dana Nessel said, in a statement. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of prosecutors in my office and local, state, and federal law enforcement, justice has finally been served nearly three decades after this horrific murder. My office will continue to stand up for crime victims and ensure offenders are held accountable.”
The AG's office said the victim is believed to be a 32-year-old Hispanic man from the Corpus Christie/McAllen, Texas area. The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Larry Rothman at 313-407-9379.