Quincy man pleads guilty to murder

EPHRATA — A Quincy man pleaded guilty Monday to murdering a man in August whose decomposing body was found wrapped in garbage bags in his bedroom closet, according to court records.

Martin Diaz Jr., 30, made a plea agreement with prosecutors to second-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. His sentencing has not been scheduled. However, if the judge goes along with the prosecution’s recommendation, Diaz will receive 204 months in prison (17 years), $8,398 in restitution and $500 in fines and fees.

Quincy police were dispatched to the 700 block of Rocky Avenue Northeast around 10 p.m. Aug. 11 for a report of a foul odor emanating from Diaz’ bedroom, according to a police report. When officers arrived, they reported smelling rotting flesh from outside the home, and upon investigating, located a six-foot-long object wrapped in black plastic bags and bound with tape.

The deputy county coroner was called to the scene, and law enforcement cut open the bags, discovering what appeared to be the body of a large male, who was identified as Abel Vargas. No age or residence was provided in court records.

Investigators also reportedly located a number of air fresheners and disposable gloves around the room, as well as blankets that appeared to have been used to mop up bodily fluids.

A bag containing blood-soaked clothing was also found, according to the police report, as well as a wallet, which police later confirmed belonged to the victim. Police also located a spent .40 caliber casing in the bedroom.

Through interviews, police discovered the victim was dropped off at Diaz’s home on Aug. 8 and had not been heard from since. A witness also contacted law enforcement and said she visited Diaz earlier on Aug. 11, and Diaz told her the bag contained dead animals he intended to hide under people’s houses. Once the corpses decomposed, the residents would vacate and could be more easily burglarized, Diaz reportedly told her.

Later that day, Diaz reportedly called that witness and said the victim tried to coerce him into killing someone else, and threatened to hurt Diaz’s family when he allegedly refused, according to court documents. Diaz then reportedly told her he shot the victim three times.

After speaking with this witness, police were able to locate Diaz Aug. 12 in Moses Lake and detain him. He reportedly had a semi-automatic handgun, heroin and methamphetamine in a fanny-pack when he was detained.

During an interview with law enforcement, Diaz reportedly reiterated that he believed his family’s safety was in danger, although he also said he did not believe the victim had a firearm at the time he was killed.

Diaz also reportedly told officers he received the handgun from an unspecified cartel.