Third Man Arrested After 2011 Double Murder And Kidnapping In Lea County, NM
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: November 8, 2012
LOVINGTON, NM -- Lea County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a third person for alleged involvement in a double murder and kidnapping that happened a year ago.
Deputies arrested Augustine Munoz in Lea County on Thursday.
Deputies say Augustine Munoz, Francisco Munoz and Pedro R. Dominguez kidnapped and killed Lovington natives Francis "Frank" McClain and Leon Sanchez in early November 2011.
The 3 men reportedly dumped the bodies of McClain, 44, and Sanchez, 49, in a pasture off of U.S. 82, about 4 miles northeast of Lovington.
Deputies found the bodies in the pasture on November 10, 2011.
Francisco Munoz, 20, was arrested and charged with kidnapping in Lea County on November 11, 2011.
Months after Munoz was arrested, deputies found evidence reportedly linking Munoz's white compact car to the scene.
Munoz was subsequently charged with murder.
Dominguez, 27, was arrested on November 5th.
Dominguez is charged with 2 counts of felony kidnapping and 2 counts of felony murder.
Now, Augustine Munoz, 26, is also charged with 2 counts of felony kidnapping and 2 counts of felony murder.
As of Thursday evening, all 3 men were being held in the Lea County Detention Center on $1 million bond apiece.
Deputies arrested Augustine Munoz in Lea County on Thursday.
Deputies say Augustine Munoz, Francisco Munoz and Pedro R. Dominguez kidnapped and killed Lovington natives Francis "Frank" McClain and Leon Sanchez in early November 2011.
The 3 men reportedly dumped the bodies of McClain, 44, and Sanchez, 49, in a pasture off of U.S. 82, about 4 miles northeast of Lovington.
Deputies found the bodies in the pasture on November 10, 2011.
Francisco Munoz, 20, was arrested and charged with kidnapping in Lea County on November 11, 2011.
Months after Munoz was arrested, deputies found evidence reportedly linking Munoz's white compact car to the scene.
Munoz was subsequently charged with murder.
Dominguez, 27, was arrested on November 5th.
Dominguez is charged with 2 counts of felony kidnapping and 2 counts of felony murder.
Now, Augustine Munoz, 26, is also charged with 2 counts of felony kidnapping and 2 counts of felony murder.
As of Thursday evening, all 3 men were being held in the Lea County Detention Center on $1 million bond apiece.
