Man faces murder charge from 2020 drug deal in Southeast Albuquerque

Mar. 11—An Albuquerque man is accused of killing a 27-year old man over a 2020 drug deal that also involved the suspect's brother and nephew, according to a criminal complaint filed at Metropolitan Court.

Jeremiah Denton, 35, who is being charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and bribing a witness, was arrested last week on a separate aggravated battery charge.

Denton is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. He is being represented by Jay Nair, who did not return a call for comment on Monday. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, according to court records.

Denton's brother, Jeffrey Denton, pleaded guilty in the case to armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery in 2023, according to court records. Jeffrey Denton's sentencing hearing date had not been set as of Monday, 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Nancy Laflin said.

Shaquan Ketcham, Jeremiah Denton's nephew, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery last week under terms of a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison, court records state.

As part of the plea deal, Ketcham spoke to the Albuquerque Police Department about Jeremiah Denton's case, according to court records.

According to Jeremiah Denton's pretrial motion: "It is clear that a decision was made to obtain more drugs from the victim. It is also clear that the defendant had no intention of completing a drug deal; he had the intention of robbing the victim, and if need be, to kill him in the process."

On April 1, 2020, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Maple and Gold near University. When they arrived, they found a dead man — later identified as Zachary Schaefer — wearing a body armor vest and lying face down with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the criminal complaint.

A friend of Schaefer told police that Schaefer received a call from a person named "Blue" — later identified as Ketcham — asking to buy several types of drugs. The friend then told police he heard Schaefer tell "Blue" he was bringing his firearm with him for protection, the complaint states.

Schaefer's girlfriend told police she received a text from him saying "wish me luck." She also told police when she asked Schaefer what was going on, he said he was selling drugs to a "little gangster that rides around flashing his little 9mm," according to the court document.

The complaint states that the Dentons and Ketcham went to Schaefer's house to conduct a drug transaction. When they arrived, Ketcham told police "Z" — later identified as Schaefer — got into the car when Ketcham handed $150 to Schaefer. But Schaefer got upset and asked him about the rest of the money, the document said.

Jeremiah Denton then opened Schaefer's door and demanded all of Schaefer's drugs. Ketcham told police that Schaefer started shooting the car floor when Jeremiah ran around the car and fired his handgun several times at Schaefer. It is unclear if any bullets hit Schaefer, according to the court document.

The complaint states that Jeffrey Denton got out of the vehicle and started punching Schaefer. Jeremiah Denton then forced Schaefer "further into the car." Ketcham told police Jeffrey "was still focused on hitting" Schaefer while trying to drive when he drove over a curb and crashed into a wall.

Schaefer jumped out of the car and ran. Jeremiah Denton followed and caught up to him before hitting him. Jeffrey Denton got out of the vehicle, took his brother's handgun and fired one shot at Schaefer. Jeremiah then took the AR-15, got back into the car and left, according to the criminal complaint.

It is unclear if more than one shot had hit Schaefer then, despite the complaint stating Schaefer was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Ketcham told police Jeremiah Denton said he would kill Ketcham if he snitched on him, according to the court document.

DNA found under Schaefer's fingernails belonged to Jeremiah Denton's brother, Jeffrey, who was arrested in 2021.