Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jul 2003 Source: Arizona Republic (AZ) Copyright: 2003 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Dennis Wagner Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues) 8 ACCUSED IN SLAYING AT VALLEY PRISON Inmates Spent Year Plotting Murder, Indictment Alleges Eight federal prisoners spent a year plotting the murder of a fellow Valley inmate, then carried out the hit in the prison's recreation yard, an indictment charged Wednesday. The victim, Jesus Lopez-Rocha, was being held on narcotics charges at the Federal Correctional Institution north of Phoenix when he was targeted by inmates who had seen his pre-sentence report, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors have not divulged the motive for the slaying, but such reports are prepared by probation officials and typically contain information on a prisoner's background, criminal activities, confessions and willingness to cooperate with law enforcement. Information released by federal authorities Wednesday did not indicate when the killing occurred. According to a news release, the defendants plotted the killing from inside the prison using mail, phone calls and face-to-face conversations. The plan involved recruiting prisoners from Lopez-Rocha's racial group to carry out the hit while others acted as backup. In most prisons, inmates segregate according to race. FBI agent Susan Herskovits said Lopez-Rocha was assaulted with a shank, or prison-made knife, near the running track in the recreation yard. The indictment does not say who is accused of carrying out the attack. Facing charges of murder and conspiracy are: Jesse Rothchild Moore, Joseph Nicholas Fuentes, Henri H. Markov, John Joseph Yellowman, Keith Allen Thomas, Mark Anthony Case, Nicholas Pablo and Stephanie Dawn Thomas. A conviction for first-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death, a $250,000 fine or both. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl