Young Springerville Man Charged With One Murder Confesses To Two More

By Linda Kor
   A suspect arrested in connection with the murder of a St. Johns youth has confessed that killing and two others.
   William N. Inmon, 21, of Springerville has pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder after confessing to the murder of St. Johns resident Rickey Flores, as well as the killings of William F. “Stoney” McCarragher and Daniel Achten, both of whom lived in the area surrounding St. Johns.
   Inmon claimed that the first murder he committed was at the age of 18 when he killed the 72-year-old McCarragher, who was found dead in his bed in April 2007 after being shot multiple times with a .22 cali-ber weapon. Inmon stated that his motive for the killing was money, guns and that he did not want McCar-ragher to violate anyone else. Also arrested in connection with the murder was Joseph D. Roberts who was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
   Achten, 60, was the second victim, and has been listed as a missing person since March of this year. Inmon led authorities to Achten’s body, which was found burned and in a shallow grave at Elk Valley Ranch, 15 miles southeast of St. Johns, Inmon said the motive for the killing was that Achten had shot his dog, used drugs, quarreled with his neighbors and mistreated people.
   The third victim, Flores, was a known associate of Inman and was reported missing on Aug. 14. Inmon said the motive for this murder was that Flores had a relationship with the daughter of defendant Jeffery Johnson, and that he wanted Flores to change his life. He was killed by a single .12 gauge shotgun wound, then his body was burned and buried in a shallow grave in the Blue Wilderness Area just south of Alpine.
   Also arrested in that case were resident Storm E. Williams, 44, of Springerville, who is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, kidnapping, child abuse, hindering prosecution and concealment of a dead body; Jeffery Alan Johnson, 43, of St. Johns, who is charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to com-mit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit child abuse, hindering prosecution and conspiracy to commit concealment of a dead body; and Melissa Johnson, 37, of St. Johns, who is charged with hindering prosecution.
   During interviews with investigators, Inmon proclaimed he was a serial killer and that if he hadn’t been caught, he was going to kill again, adding that he had at least two other people he had intended to kill.
   According to Apache County Attorney Michal B. Whiting, who is prosecuting this case, this would make Inmon one of the youngest serial killers in U.S. history.
   In addition to the confessions made by the defendant, evidence was also obtained that linked Inmon to the murders. According to Whiting, collaborating confessions were taken from several co-defendants in regards to each murder. Finally, other physical and circumstantial evidence was obtained linking the defen-dant to all three murders.
   Due to Inmon’s age and the fact he has been surprisingly cooperative with law enforcement, the county attorney’s office is accepting Inmon’s plea and will not be seeking the death penalty.
   “This is the best result for the justice system, the community and, most importantly, for the victims’ families,” stated Whiting.
   Authorities will be continuing the investigation, which will include inquiries into Inmon’s life in Phoe-nix, where he lived prior to moving to Springerville.