Jury acquits man charged with murder in 2009 slayings

One of three men authorities said was connected to robbing and slaying two drug dealers in 2009 was acquitted of murder by a Clark County jury Wednesday.

Ivan Rios was found not guilty of two counts of murder and other charges after a six-day trial and about two days of deliberation by jurors.

Prosecutors declined to comment.

Authorities said that on June 7, 2009, Rios and Carlos Zapata waited nearby while Ralph Jeremias went to the Polo Club Apartments, on Decatur Boulevard south of Flamingo Road, to buy marijuana from Paul Stephens and Brian Hudson.

Police said Jeremias had bought marijuana from Stephens and Hudson before and coveted the expensive items in the apartment and their lifestyle.

Both Rios and Zapata confirmed to investigators that Jeremias entered the apartment alone with a handgun and shot each victim multiple times, police said. According to the indictment, both men were shot in the head.

Jeremias and at least one other suspect returned later to collect a laptop computer, marijuana, bank cards and cash, police said.

Police identified the suspects after surveillance tapes captured Jeremias unsuccessfully trying to use stolen bank cards.

The three men were arrested June 24, 2009.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Jeremias, who is awaiting the setting of a trial date, likely in 2013.

Zapata pleaded guilty in November 2010 to robbery, burglary and conspiracy. He is set to be sentenced Aug. 16.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review
journal.com or 702-380-1039.