Russell Sean Hultgren, left, 19, listens to his attorney before his initial arraignment at Henderson Justice Court Tuesday, October 5, 2010. Hultgren was arraigned on seven felony charges, including murder with a deadly weapon and arson, in connection with the drug-related shooting death of Andrew Duarte.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 | 10:14 a.m.
Jorge Jose Perez
Sun archives
A preliminary hearing will be held next month for a 19-year-old Henderson man accused of shooting and killing another man during a drug deal, then hiding his body in the desert and setting the man's truck on fire to hide evidence.
Russell Sean Hultgren had his initial appearance this morning in Henderson Justice Court on murder charges in connection with the Sept. 23 death of Andrew Duarte, 23.
During the short court appearance, which took about two minutes, Chief Judge Rodney T. Burr set Hultgren's preliminary hearing for Nov. 4.
Hultgren faces seven felony charges: murder with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, arson-third degree, grand larceny-auto and destroying evidence.
Hultgren, who is being held on $900,000 bail in the Henderson Detention Center, is one of three teens who have been arrested in connection with Duarte's death.
Jorge Perez, 18, and a 17-year-old male who has not been named because he is a juvenile, were arrested last week after Henderson police learned they were allegedly involved in trying to help Hultgren cover up Duarte's death.
Perez is being held on $930,000 bail in the Henderson Detention Center and the other teen was taken to the Clark County juvenile detention facility. Perez has a tentative court date set for Oct. 11 in Henderson Justice Court
According to a police report, the shooting took place in the parking lot of Hammer's Grill and Bar, 771 East Horizon Drive, where Hultgren had gone to meet Duarte to purchase 12 ecstasy tablets.
Hultgren told police that Duarte pulled out a handgun and pointed it at him and during a struggle over the gun, three shots were fired, with one hitting and killing Duarte.
Perez, who was waiting in Hultgren's vehicle in the McDonald's parking lot on College and Horizon Drive in Henderson, heard the shots and ran over to Duarte's truck, police said.
Hultgren and Perez then ran back Hultgren's truck to get the other teen and they decided to move the truck out of the area, police said.
Police said Hultgren drove the truck east on Horizon Ridge Parkway from Horizon Drive, where the pavement ended. He then drove the truck with the dead man, Perez and the other teen into the desert area several miles from where the pavement ended, police said.
Hultgren drove to a site in the desert where they dumped the man's body and laid rocks on it to hide it.
They then drove the truck to Hultgren's vehicle, which was parked in the neighborhood. Perez and the other teen drove Hultgren's vehicle and Hultgren drove the truck to Hultgren's residence, police said.
About 9 a.m. that same morning, Sept. 24, Hultgren decided to drive the truck to Pahrump, where he set it on fire to destroy any evidence, police said.
Perez and the other teen drove Hultgren's vehicle and Hultgren stopped at a gas station, where he bought gasoline to set fire to the truck, the police report said.
The three found a location in Pahrump where it was decided that the 17-year-old would stay with Hultgren's vehicle. Hultgren and Perez drove the truck into the desert, doused it with gasoline and set it on fire, police said.
Officers said after the alleged cover-up, Perez went into the desert looking for the body to further conceal it.
"However, he became lost and called 9-1-1 to rescue him. It was after he spoke with police, knowing he was in the area of where the body was dumped that he informed investigators of Hultgren’s alleged actions," police said.
Hultgren was arrested Sept. 27 after Perez and the other teen talked to police. Duarte's body was recovered Sept. 28.
Detectives later discovered Perez and the 17-year-old male were more involved in the crime and the cover-up.
The pair is also accused of knowing Hultgren went to meet the victim to rob him and knowing Hultgren had a gun with him, police said.
Police ask that anyone with information call the Henderson Police Department at (702) 267-4750 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or visit www.crimestoppersofnv.com. Tips directly leading to an arrest or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward.
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