ML man charged in 2012 murder
Local Crime News
EPHRATA – A Moses Lake man was charged as an accomplice to the 2012 killing of a Soap Lake man north of Moses Lake.
On Monday, Grant County prosecutors charged Michael J. Rocha, 27, as an accomplice to first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, armed with a firearm. An arrest warrant was issued Aug. 30 and officers arrested him near Beacon Road Northeast Friday night.
On Oct. 17, the body of 29-year-old Tracy Fullbright, of Soap Lake, was found in a ditch near Roads 10 Northeast and L Northeast, about eight miles north of Moses Lake. Fullbright was reportedly found bound and gagged and was shot several times, according to the sheriff's office.
Adrian Rodriguez, 29, was arrested in December and was charged with first-degree aggravated murder and first-degree kidnapping, accused of shooting Fullbright. His trial was delayed in June so Rodriguez could be evaluated at Eastern State Hospital.
According to court records, on Oct. 17, Fullbright was living with Rodriguez at a home on Robin Lane in Moses Lake. Rodriguez allegedly punched Fullbright after accusing him of inappropriately touching his daughter.
Rodriguez and Rocha then allegedly tied Fullbright's hands behind his back, using a bandana and tape, then put tape over his mouth, according to court records. Rodriguez then ordered Fullbright into the trunk of a car and drove out to Road L then shot him several times. At least eight bullet casings were found at the scene, according to court records.
A witness told investigators he heard Rodriguez fire two shots before he went back into the car, according to court records.
Recently, investigators at the sheriff's office received a letter from a female inmate who reportedly overheard a conversation about the incident, indicating Rocha allegedly was in the home at the time of the altercation and assisted with tying up the victim. Police reports also show Rocha was at the home during the incident and he was initially named a suspect in October, according to the sheriff's office.
Both Rodriguez and Rocha are currently booked into Grant County Jail and scheduled to appear in court Sept. 24.
Rocha is also booked on warrants for failing to appear for obstruction and third-degree driving while license suspended, according to court records.
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