Eight months after George "Teddy" Rivera's body was found in Poinciana, Polk County detectives have arrested two men they said participated in shooting him.
Detectives arrested 41-year-old Manuel Ayala of Kissimmee on Tuesday. U.S. Marshals – assisting Polk investigators – arrested 36-year-old Julio Morales-Rivera early today in Connecticut.
Each is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the slaying of Rivera, 44.
"Detectives arrested a jealous husband and his paid associate," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a release. "We knew the victim once worked at Ayala's business, that the victim was having an affair with Ayala's wife and that because of the affair between the victim and Ayala's wife, Ayala beat, bribed and threatened to kill the victim."
On Jan. 9 – Rivera's birthday – Rivera left his home with two men in a red SUV, deputies said. Deputies said Rivera was slated to meet his mistress – Ayala's wife – that afternoon and later to have dinner with his family. Rivera didn't show for either meeting.
He was reported missing Jan. 10.
Rivera's body was found Feb. 7 near Sweet Pea Court in Poinciana. Deputies said the location is about 3 miles from Ayala's home.
Rivera was shot twice in the head and twice in the back by a 9mm handgun, autopsy results show.
Deputies said Ayala was aware of the affair between his wife and Rivera. They said days prior to the slaying Ayala saw his wife driving his car with Rivera inside. They said Ayala told his wife to pull over and then he fought with Rivera.
Deputies said Ayala had bought a 9mm handgun in September 2010.
"Detectives also learned that Ayala was overheard on two different occasions admitting he killed the victim," a Polk County Sheriff's release states.
Prior to the shooting, Morales-Rivera told friends he was going to do "something big" and be "paid a lot of money" before moving to Connecticut, deputies said.
Deputies said Morales-Rivera was seen in a red SUV before and after the day of the shooting.
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