Las Vegas Police Arrest County Official in Journalist’s Stabbing Death

Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles was taken into prison on Wednesday, hours after authorities raided his residence in connection with the stabbing death of Review-Journal reporter Jeff German.

According to the records, Telles is charged with open murder with a deadly weapon. According to sources, he was hauled into custody with self-inflicted wounds. DNA also connects Telles to the crime scene, according to sources.

Telles was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to face an open murder with a deadly weapon accusation.

Around 6:30 p.m., an ambulance transported Telles to University Medical Center. The following day, he was scheduled to be booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Recent investigative reports by the veteran investigative journalist focused on Telles.

Wednesday was spent primarily at Telles’ residence, which is located near Charleston Boulevard and Hualapai Way. Investigators did not disclose what, if anything, led to Telles’s arrest.

Investigators had issued a photograph of an SUV linked to the crime, which sources says that it resembled one of Telles’ vehicles.

Tuesday, police published photographs and video of the suspect and stated that it appeared he was scouting German’s neighborhood.

A police officer knocked on Telles’ door at 16:15, but he did not answer. Several times subsequently, the police kept reporters away from the house.

Saturday morning, September 3, 69-year-old German was discovered stabbed to death outside his home. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, he was killed on Friday morning but was not found until Saturday.

In June, Telles, a Democrat, lost a three-way primary. In online posts after the election, Telles appeared to attribute his loss to German.

Telles became publicly critical of German’s reports in a series of tweets. Telles noted in one tweet: “Wife hears rustling in the trash. Her: ‘Honey, is there a wild animal in the trash?’ Me: ‘No, dear. Looks like it’s @JGermanRJ going through our trash for his 4th story on me.’”

Telles then posted online that German was “[dragging him] through the mud.” He enclosed a letter he sent to German stating that he will not allow the charges to impact his future work.

Wednesday afternoon, police pulled a dark-red SUV from Telles’ residence, one day after investigators released a photograph of a similar vehicle leaving the murder scene.

“The arrest of Robert Telles is at once an enormous relief and an outrage for the Review-Journal newsroom,” stated Glenn Cook, executive editor of the Review-Journal. “We are relieved Robert Telles is in custody and outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official. Journalists can’t do the important work our communities require if they are afraid a presentation of facts could lead to violent retribution. We thank Las Vegas police for their urgency and hard work and for immediately recognizing the terrible significance of Jeff’s killing. Now, hopefully, the Review-Journal, the German family and Jeff’s many friends can begin the process of mourning and honoring a great man and a brave reporter. Godspeed, Jeff.”

Credits: 8NewsNow