A Sahuarita man linked to a 2010 homicide in Willcox was arrested Monday by Cochise County Sheriff's deputies.
David Antonio Verdugo, 44, was booked into the Cochise County jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, said Carol Capas, a sheriff's spokeswoman.
Verdugo is the second man arrested in the slaying of Gregory Neely, 45. On July 5, 2016, Jeffrey Allen Groves, 30, of Willcox, turned himself in to authorities at a motel in the Willcox area. Groves is facing first-degree murder and remains in custody, Capas said.
On Nov. 20, 2010, Neely was found shortly before 9 p.m. lying on the ground next to his 1996 Ford Ranger truck, said Capas. The vehicle was parked along the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way in the area of West Geronimo Drive and South Railroad Avenue.
Neely had severe head injuries and later died at a Tucson hospital, Capas said.
During the investigation, DNA evidence was collected and submitted to the state Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for analysis and comparison to the national DNA databases.
In April 2016, Cochise County sheriff's detectives were advised of a match of a person who was an investigative lead in the initial case, said authorities. An arrest warrant was obtained for Groves.
Authorities say the investigation is continuing and additional arrests are pending. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cochise County Sheriff's Office at 1-520-432-9500.
