Topline: The victim, a fellow Army veteran, was shot, dismembered, and left in plastic bags after what investigators describe as a premeditated attack.
Published: August 21, 2025 10:30 am ET
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From left, Rainor Joiner, Matthew McLaughlin, and David Degroat.
TRES PIEDRAS, NM — Two former Army soldiers, now accused deserters, are facing first-degree murder charges in Taos County after allegedly confessing to the killing and dismemberment of their roommate in the remote community of Tres Piedras, New Mexico.
Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, both originally from Georgia, were arrested over the weekend and made their first appearances in Taos Magistrate Court on Tuesday, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Prosecutors have filed motions to keep both men detained ahead of trial, citing their alleged confessions, military desertion warrants, and what the District Attorney’s Office described as the “grisly, gruesome” nature of the crime.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Chief Magistrate Judge Ernest Ortega informed the defendants during their hearing that they each face a possible sentence of 30 years to life in prison if convicted. The Taos County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) began investigating after 25-year-old Matthew McLaughlin was reported missing on July 31. McLaughlin, an Army veteran from Virginia, had been living in Tres Piedras with Joiner and Degroat — all three reportedly having served together at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.
The break in the case came Sunday, Aug. 17, when deputies searching the men’s shared residence took Joiner and Degroat in for questioning. Initially denying involvement, both men eventually admitted their roles in McLaughlin’s death, according to an affidavit obtained by KOAT Action 7 News.
Joiner allegedly told investigators he lured McLaughlin out under the pretense of helping carry groceries, then shot him — first with a rifle, then with a pistol. Days later, he dismembered the body.
Authorities say Joiner’s confession led deputies to a stretch of U.S. Highway 64 where they discovered multiple plastic bags containing human remains later identified as McLaughlin’s. During questioning, Joiner reportedly claimed he wanted McLaughlin dead because of personal grievances, including alleged drug use and unwanted visitors at the house.
“He told them exactly what he did and didn’t have any emotions at all,” TCSO Undersheriff Gabriel Ortiz told KOAT, adding that Joiner “was very much non-remorseful.”
Degroat, according to law enforcement, told investigators he was threatened by Joiner and coerced into participating. Yet prosecutors argue both men bear full responsibility. In a motion for pretrial detention obtained by the Journal, the DA’s office emphasized the strength of the case, pointing to Joiner’s signed confession and the recovery of physical evidence consistent with his account.
The remains have been turned over to the state Office of the Medical Investigator. Meanwhile, Joiner and Degroat remain held without bond at the Taos County Adult Detention Center. Hearings on the pretrial detention motions are scheduled for September 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Two Army Deserters Charged in Grisly Murder of Roommate
The victim, a fellow Army veteran, was shot, dismembered, and left in plastic bags after what investigators describe as a premeditated attack.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 21, 2025 10:30 am ET
From left, Rainor Joiner, Matthew McLaughlin, and David Degroat.
TRES PIEDRAS, NM — Two former Army soldiers, now accused deserters, are facing first-degree murder charges in Taos County after allegedly confessing to the killing and dismemberment of their roommate in the remote community of Tres Piedras, New Mexico.
Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, both originally from Georgia, were arrested over the weekend and made their first appearances in Taos Magistrate Court on Tuesday, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Prosecutors have filed motions to keep both men detained ahead of trial, citing their alleged confessions, military desertion warrants, and what the District Attorney’s Office described as the “grisly, gruesome” nature of the crime.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Chief Magistrate Judge Ernest Ortega informed the defendants during their hearing that they each face a possible sentence of 30 years to life in prison if convicted. The Taos County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) began investigating after 25-year-old Matthew McLaughlin was reported missing on July 31. McLaughlin, an Army veteran from Virginia, had been living in Tres Piedras with Joiner and Degroat — all three reportedly having served together at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.
The break in the case came Sunday, Aug. 17, when deputies searching the men’s shared residence took Joiner and Degroat in for questioning. Initially denying involvement, both men eventually admitted their roles in McLaughlin’s death, according to an affidavit obtained by KOAT Action 7 News.
Joiner allegedly told investigators he lured McLaughlin out under the pretense of helping carry groceries, then shot him — first with a rifle, then with a pistol. Days later, he dismembered the body.
Authorities say Joiner’s confession led deputies to a stretch of U.S. Highway 64 where they discovered multiple plastic bags containing human remains later identified as McLaughlin’s. During questioning, Joiner reportedly claimed he wanted McLaughlin dead because of personal grievances, including alleged drug use and unwanted visitors at the house.
“He told them exactly what he did and didn’t have any emotions at all,” TCSO Undersheriff Gabriel Ortiz told KOAT, adding that Joiner “was very much non-remorseful.”
Degroat, according to law enforcement, told investigators he was threatened by Joiner and coerced into participating. Yet prosecutors argue both men bear full responsibility. In a motion for pretrial detention obtained by the Journal, the DA’s office emphasized the strength of the case, pointing to Joiner’s signed confession and the recovery of physical evidence consistent with his account.
The remains have been turned over to the state Office of the Medical Investigator. Meanwhile, Joiner and Degroat remain held without bond at the Taos County Adult Detention Center. Hearings on the pretrial detention motions are scheduled for September 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Two Army Deserters Charged in Grisly Murder of Roommate
The victim, a fellow Army veteran, was shot, dismembered, and left in plastic bags after what investigators describe as a premeditated attack.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 21, 2025 10:30 am ET
From left, Rainor Joiner, Matthew McLaughlin, and David Degroat.
TRES PIEDRAS, NM — Two former Army soldiers, now accused deserters, are facing first-degree murder charges in Taos County after allegedly confessing to the killing and dismemberment of their roommate in the remote community of Tres Piedras, New Mexico.
Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, both originally from Georgia, were arrested over the weekend and made their first appearances in Taos Magistrate Court on Tuesday, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Prosecutors have filed motions to keep both men detained ahead of trial, citing their alleged confessions, military desertion warrants, and what the District Attorney’s Office described as the “grisly, gruesome” nature of the crime.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Chief Magistrate Judge Ernest Ortega informed the defendants during their hearing that they each face a possible sentence of 30 years to life in prison if convicted. The Taos County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) began investigating after 25-year-old Matthew McLaughlin was reported missing on July 31. McLaughlin, an Army veteran from Virginia, had been living in Tres Piedras with Joiner and Degroat — all three reportedly having served together at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.
The break in the case came Sunday, Aug. 17, when deputies searching the men’s shared residence took Joiner and Degroat in for questioning. Initially denying involvement, both men eventually admitted their roles in McLaughlin’s death, according to an affidavit obtained by KOAT Action 7 News.
Joiner allegedly told investigators he lured McLaughlin out under the pretense of helping carry groceries, then shot him — first with a rifle, then with a pistol. Days later, he dismembered the body.
Authorities say Joiner’s confession led deputies to a stretch of U.S. Highway 64 where they discovered multiple plastic bags containing human remains later identified as McLaughlin’s. During questioning, Joiner reportedly claimed he wanted McLaughlin dead because of personal grievances, including alleged drug use and unwanted visitors at the house.
“He told them exactly what he did and didn’t have any emotions at all,” TCSO Undersheriff Gabriel Ortiz told KOAT, adding that Joiner “was very much non-remorseful.”
Degroat, according to law enforcement, told investigators he was threatened by Joiner and coerced into participating. Yet prosecutors argue both men bear full responsibility. In a motion for pretrial detention obtained by the Journal, the DA’s office emphasized the strength of the case, pointing to Joiner’s signed confession and the recovery of physical evidence consistent with his account.
The remains have been turned over to the state Office of the Medical Investigator. Meanwhile, Joiner and Degroat remain held without bond at the Taos County Adult Detention Center. Hearings on the pretrial detention motions are scheduled for September 2.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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