Amarillo man arrested, charged in murder of body in ditch

Excerpt

A local man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a body that was found in a barrow ditch north of Amarillo last month.
Nicholas Benjamin Tafoya was booked into Potter County…

A local man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a body that was found in a barrow ditch north of Amarillo last month.

Nicholas Benjamin Tafoya was booked into Potter County jail after he allegedly killed 30-year-old Gary Romero Garcia. Tafoya shot and killed Garcia on or about July 30, according to a criminal complaint.

Tree trimmers discovered Garcia's body Aug. 25 on the north side of the 400 block of West Cherry Avenue, authorities said.

According to a preliminary autopsy report, Garcia died from three gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

Garcia was reported missing to the Amarillo Police Department about three weeks before his body was found.

The first-degree murder charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Jail records show that Tafoya, 36, also faces a slew of other felony charges: aggravated robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, tampering with physical evidence with the intent to impair an investigation and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.

He remained in jail Tuesday in lieu of a $570,000 bond.