Arrest made in drug cartel killing

Posted at: 08/18/2011 6:52 PM
By: Cristina Rodda, KOB Eyewitness News 4

Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputies make an arrest in a Mexican drug cartel killing. For nearly four years, the suspect was only identified as "a big guy." Now that man is facing murder charges for the 2008 murder of a drug runner.

From the beginning detectives knew that 3 people had something to do with the murder of 53-year old Danny Baca. His death was so brutal, detectives vowed not to let this become a cold case. Baca was chased down, shot more than 20 times then burned. His charred remains were left on the Pajarito Mesa.

Now Jose Talavera is under arrest for murder and kidnapping. A confidential informant lead detectives BCSO's swat team to his home in Meadowlake. He came out without putting up a fight.

BCSO Sergeant Mark Kmatz said, "Once he was in custody, his demeanor was just defeated just sort of, after this much time they are picking me up they know I'm involved I just need to give it up."

Deputies said he confessed to being with Baca but wouldn't say he killed him.

Detectives said that in 2008 Baca was suppose take a marijuana load from Mexico to El Paso, but instead took off with the stash to Albuquerque before he was killed.

"We are going to do our job and we are not going to be scared off that job because of who these people are," said Kmatz.

Right now BCSO is working with Mexican authorities to get the two other suspects: jaime Veleta and his cousin Mario Talavera who are said to have ties to a Mexican drug cartel. They are believed to be across the border.

Gerardo Nunez is in custody in this case and BCSO is trying to charge him with kidnapping. There is a fourth suspect detectives are still working to identify.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s2246648.shtml