TAOS — Two men accused in the death of a U.S. Army veteran whose remains were scattered along U.S. 64 near Tres Piedras were charged with multiple felonies in Taos County Magistrate Court this week, including first-degree murder.

The Taos County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rainor Joiner, 23, and David Degroat, 22, last weekend in connection with the murder of their roommate, Matthew McLaughlin, 25.

Sheriff Steve Miera said Joiner admitted Sunday to shooting McLaughlin — an Army veteran who moved to the area from Virginia earlier this year — during a search of the home the two shared. Joiner implicated Degroat, another roommate, in the crime, the sheriff's office said.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Joiner told sheriff's office investigators, “I did it, I [expletive] him, and I

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