Video above: Previous coverageA second Alabama man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a man found dead inside a Murrieta, California, apartment in January, according to the FBI and Murrieta Police Department.Kenneth Ray Maxwell, of Midfield, was taken into custody in Midfield on March 18 as part of a joint operation involving the FBI Birmingham Safe Streets Task Force and other law enforcement agencies. His arrest follows the capture of James Lawrence Petri in Birmingham on Jan. 29.Police in Murrieta began investigating the case on Jan. 13 after officers responded to the Arbors at California Oaks apartments and found a man dead inside a unit. The death was later ruled a homicide.>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13Petri, 43, was arrested the same day as Ignacia Perkins, 40, who authorities identified as the victim’s ex-girlfriend.A fourth suspect, Jerry Wheeler, of Brookhaven, Georgia, was also arrested on March 18. All four face charges of murder, murder for financial or other consideration, and criminal conspiracy to commit murder.Investigators say the case is being treated as a murder-for-hire scheme. During the operation, authorities seized more than 10 weapons, suppressors and over 2.5 kilograms of illegal narcotics.>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free“Our partnerships with local and federal law enforcement are crucial. I commend the exceptional work of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force for collaborating with our partners to ensure that violent criminals are taken off the streets and held accountable for their actions,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, special agent in charge of FBI Birmingham.The investigation remains ongoing.This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
MIDFIELD, Ala. —
Video above: Previous coverage
A second Alabama man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a man found dead inside a Murrieta, California, apartment in January, according to the FBI and Murrieta Police Department.
Kenneth Ray Maxwell, of Midfield, was taken into custody in Midfield on March 18 as part of a joint operation involving the FBI Birmingham Safe Streets Task Force and other law enforcement agencies. His arrest follows the capture of James Lawrence Petri in Birmingham on Jan. 29.
Police in Murrieta began investigating the case on Jan. 13 after officers responded to the Arbors at California Oaks apartments and found a man dead inside a unit. The death was later ruled a homicide.
>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13
Petri, 43, was arrested the same day as Ignacia Perkins, 40, who authorities identified as the victim’s ex-girlfriend.
A fourth suspect, Jerry Wheeler, of Brookhaven, Georgia, was also arrested on March 18. All four face charges of murder, murder for financial or other consideration, and criminal conspiracy to commit murder.
Investigators say the case is being treated as a murder-for-hire scheme. During the operation, authorities seized more than 10 weapons, suppressors and over 2.5 kilograms of illegal narcotics.
>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free
“Our partnerships with local and federal law enforcement are crucial. I commend the exceptional work of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force for collaborating with our partners to ensure that violent criminals are taken off the streets and held accountable for their actions,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, special agent in charge of FBI Birmingham.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.