LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. – A 51-year-old man from Toledo has been sentenced for his role in the death of a man found decapitated in Lenawee County in 1997.
Michael Sepulveda and his brother were arrested in 2023 by the United States Marshals Service. His brother, Richardo Sepulveda, was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2024.
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Michael Sepulveda pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August 2024.
The victim’s body was discovered by a farmer in their Blissfield Township cornfield on Nov. 19, 1997. The cornfield is located west of Corey Highway and north of Carroll Highway. Authorities said the body was naked, had been decapitated and had his hands cut off from above the wrist.
Police believed the man’s death was connected to international drug trafficking. While the body hasn’t been identified, police believe he was a 32-year-old man from Texas.
Michael Sepulveda was sentenced Thursday, May 15, to 10 to 30 years behind bars.
His brother, Richardo Sepulveda, is scheduled to be sentenced June 13 for his convictions of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, assault with intent to maim, conspiracy to commit assault with intent to maim, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit assault with intent to maim.