LANSING – On Friday, Richardo Sepulveda, 53, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was found guilty by a Lenawee County jury of multiple felonies in connection to the 1997 cold-case homicide of “John Doe,” announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Richardo Sepulveda was convicted of:
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One count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, a felony that carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole;
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One count of Assault with Intent to Maim, a 10-year felony;
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One count of Conspiracy to Commit Assault with Intent to Maim, a 10-year felony;
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One count of Tampering with Evidence, a 10-year felony; and
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One count of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence, a 10-year felony.
On November 19, 1997, police were dispatched to Blissfield Township in response to the discovery of human remains in a cornfield owned and farmed by the caller. When police arrived to examine the remains, they observed the body of an unidentified, unclothed male that was missing the head and both hands. The hands appeared to have been cut from just above the wrist. Officers also observed what appeared to be saw striations on the ends of the bones. The homicide is believed to be connected to international drug trafficking activities.
In January of 2023, Attorney General Nessel charged Richardo Sepulveda and co-defendant Michael Sepulveda, 51, of Toledo, Ohio, in connection with the homicide. Michael Sepulveda pled guilty to Second Degree Murder in August of 2024.
“Because of the relentless efforts of the Michigan State Police, the multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies who never gave up, and the dedicated prosecutors in my office, we have brought a measure of accountability in this tragic case,” Nessel said. “I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence. This verdict serves as a reminder that every crime victim deserves justice, no matter how much time has passed.”
To date, John Doe’s identity is still unknown, but he is believed to be a 32-year-old Hispanic man from the Corpus Christie/McAllen, Texas area. The investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information, please contact Michigan State Police D/Sgt. Larry Rothman at 313-407-9379.
Sentencing for Michael Sepulveda is scheduled for May 15, 2025. Richardo Sepulveda is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13, 2025. Both will be sentenced before Michael R. Olsaver in the 39th Circuit Court.
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