Two suspects charged with Murder in Trejo killing plead guilty to lesser charge

Two suspects originally charged with Murder in connection with the killing of Anthony Trejo have pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Court records show Roberto Favela was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Two charges of “Tampering with Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair” were dropped. Court records no longer list the Murder charge.

Court records also show Steven Ramirez was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Two charges of “Tampering with Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair” were dropped. Court records no longer list the Murder charge.

Six other people have been charged in connection with the murder of the 33-year-old Trejo, who police said was beaten to death, dismembered and buried in the Northeast El Paso desert.

George Bonales, 35, was originally charged with Tampering with Evidence.

Romuldo Trujillo, 41, was originally charged with Murder and Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle.

Erlinda Lujan, 36, was originally charged with Murder.

Michael Aceto, 34, was originally charged with Tampering with Evidence.

Adrian Herrera, 20, was originaly charged with Probation Violation, Burglary, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.

40-year-old Phillip Esquer and 35-year-old George Bonales were originally charged with Tampering with Evidence.

ABC-7 called the district attorney’s office to get an update on the status of the cases against the suspects. The DA’s office has not called back.

Trejo was reported missing September 12. Police list the date of the homicide as September 19. His disappearance was a mystery until El Paso Police uncovered details during a SWAT standoff as officers served unrelated criminal warrants. In the home, police allegedly found evidence linking the suspects to Trejo’s killing.

Court documents obtained by ABC-7 contain grisly details about the murder from witnesses.

One of the witnesses reported to El Paso police Favela allegedly admitted to murdering Trejo. The witness told police Favela hit Trejo in the head with a metal dumbbell. Favela was wearing the victim’s watch at the time of his arrest, investigators said.

A second witness reported seeing Trejo being assaulted by Favela, Trujillo and a third man. The victim was reportedly wrapped in a cloth, bound with electrical wires, and dumped in the desert.