Third arrest made in year-old murders

LOVINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) - Nearly a year after two men were found murdered in a Lea County pasture, sheriff's deputies have arrested a third suspect in the case.

Augustine Muñoz, 26, of Hobbs is being held on two open counts of murder and two of kidnapping, according to a statement released by the Lea County Sheriff's Department on Thursday.

It was on Nov. 10, 2011, when a call from a rancher brought deputies to a pasture off U.S. Highway 82 about four miles east of Lovington.  There they found the bodies of two Lovington men, Leon Sanchez, 49, and Frank McClain, 44.

Already in custody and charged with the murders are Francisco Muñoz, 20, arrested the day after the bodies were found and initially charged with kidnapping, and Pedro R. Dominguez of Lovington, who was arrested on Monday.  The statement from the sheriff's department did not indicate if Augustine and Francisco Muñoz are related.

Investigators earlier said a number of people were believed to be involved in the murders, and Thursday's statement said no additional information is being released because the investigation is still active.

Augustine Muñoz is being held in the Lea County Detention Center under a $1 million bond.