Five now charged in death of teen

PALMER — The number of arrests in the Nov. 13 abduction and murder of 16-year old David Grunwald has grown to five after a grand jury issued felony indictments Friday afternoon against four Mat-Su teens ranging from 17-19 years old. Additionally, more charges were filed against Erick Almandinger, who Alaska State Troopers arrested for Grunwald’s murder on Dec. 2.

According to online court records, 16-year old Bradley J. Renfro of Wasilla, 18-year old Devin Peterson of Wasilla, 16-year old Dominic Johnson of Wasilla, and 19-year old Austin Barrett of Palmer, face multiple felony counts in connection with Grunwald’s kidnapping and murder. Johnson faces first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, felony kidnapping, and tampering with physical evidence. Barrett’s charges include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder and kidnapping. Peterson faces three felony counts of tampering with physical evidence and one felony count of hindering prosecution. Renfro was arrested on one count of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree murder, one count each of tampering with evidence and hampering an investigation.

Almandinger, 16, also faces four additional charges, including three counts of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. He was arrested on one count each of first-degree murder and kidnapping on Dec. 2.

Grunwald was first reported missing after failing to arrive home after dropping his girlfriend off in Palmer. His Ford Bronco was discovered burned several hours later on a trail north of Wasilla. In an affidavit filed in Palmer District Court, the investigating officer, AST Sergeant Tony Wegrzyn, stated Almandinger told him that he was present when an acquaintance referred to as “D.J.” — allegedly Dominic Johnson in court records — first pistol-whipped Grunwald in a 35-year-old camper trailer located behind Almandinger’s father’s Esty Drive address. Wegrzyn stated in court documents that after initially denying any knowledge about Grunwald’s death, Almandinger admitted knowledge, adding D.J. was the person who killed Grunwald.

Almandinger said Grunwald showed up at his house to “drink and smoke” and they were doing so in the camper. Almandinger said he went into the house, at which point he received a message from D.J. asking him to bring a gun to the trailer. Almandinger said he came back with a .40-caliber semi-automatic and handed it to D.J. whom, he said, bludgeoned Grunwald with it. Almandinger admitted to standing by and doing nothing to try and stop D.J.

He said after the assault, D.J. loaded Grunwald into his Bronco and drove him away against his will. Almandinger acknowledged Grunwald was severely beaten and was fading in and out of consciousness and unable to defend himself as they loaded into the SUV. Almandinger said requests from Grunwald to be taken to his girlfriend’s father’s house, which they passed, went unanswered. Almandinger said he provided directions to D.J. as they made their way toward Butte and, according to court affidavits, knew they were going to kill the youth.

Almandinger said D.J. picked a spot to pull Grunwald’s vehicle over and that D.J. led, escorting Grunwald into the woods away from the road. Almandinger said he accompanied D.J. and acknowledged that Grunwald was pleading for his life as they walked.

Almandinger told Wegrzyn that when they got into the woods, D.J. shot Grunwald once with a 9mm slug. When re-questioned, Almandinger changed his story stating that a third teen, identified as 16-year old “A.B.” — believed to be Austin Barrett — had pulled the trigger.

Wegrzyn said his investigation led him to meet with Devin Peterson, an acquaintance of both teens, on Dec. 2. When questioned, Wegrzyn said Peterson acknowledged Almandinger and D.J. showed up in a blue Ford Bronco on the night Grunwald went missing. According to the affidavit, Peterson said Almandinger confessed to killing Grunwald and was seeking his advice. Peterson told the officer “...they were stupid and sent them away because he didn’t want the trouble.”

Almandinger told police that he and D.J. visited Peterson asking for advice after the killing Grunwald and after leaving, decided it was necessary to burn Grunwald’s vehicle to destroy evidence. Almandinger said the two stopped at a local gas station, purchased several gallons of gas, then drove the Bronco to a trail off Sitze Road near Baldy Mountain. There, Almandinger said he poured gas throughout the inside of the vehicle and after burning it, he and D.J. “caught a ride back to Palmer”.

According to reports, Almandinger, Renfro, Johnson and Barrett “intentionally caused” Grunwald’s death as principals or accomplices. Records state the four were involved in restraining and kidnapping Grunwald as well as destroying evidence. Reports state that Peterson was not only involved with burning Grunwald’s vehicle but he “suppressed, concealed or removed” both 9mm and .40-caliber pistols involved in the crime.

Investigating officers obtained search warrants for phone, tablet and various social media program posts to assist them in the investigation.

Court records indicated Saturday that all involved have been arrested and lodged at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility without bail, with the exception of Peterson whose bail is set at $100,000.

Peterson and Barrett were also involved in June 2016 incident in Eagle River.

According to police reports, Anchorage police (APD) responded to a home along Old Glenn Highway in Eagle River on June 22, for a report of a man being held at gunpoint. APD responded and arrested Damien Peterson 19, of Big Lake, who was being held at gunpoint by an unidentified homeowner, police stated.

According to reports, the incident started when a 16-year-old girl, whose name was withheld and a homeowner, identified in the report as “L.M.” were texting back and forth before ultimately agreeing to have sex in exchange for money, Damien Peterson told police. L.M. didn’t have any money for the girl, so the girl left for a period of time. L.M. came back and was allowed to see and touch one of the girl’s breasts before she led him to a Jasper Drive residence near Wasilla, according to police affidavits.

When L.M. entered the residence, Damien Peterson “choked him out,” and when L.M. woke up, police state Devin Peterson and Barrett searched him for money and took a folding knife. Police said that, not finding any money after searching L.M.’s truck, Damien Peterson told L.M. to drive the bunch to his house where L.M. would, according to reports, give them a card to buy “cigarettes and stuff.” The three teens got into L.M.’s truck and L.M. drove them to his house.

“Once inside, L.M. introduced Damien Peterson to his father and, while shaking hands with LM’s father, L.M. produced a pistol from the dresser and ordered Damien Peterson to the floor, where he remained until APD arrived and arrested him.”

Troopers found Barrett and Devin Peterson at the Jasper Drive residence, where they told troopers they hadn’t gone to Eagle River at all, and hadn’t left the residence, apart from a brief trip to McDonald’s.

According to court documents, Barrett has two outstanding Class B misdemeanors, fourth-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespass charges in pending Palmer District Court. No charges are on file against Devin Peterson in the case. Damien Peterson was convicted of second-degree assault as a result in the case after reaching a plea-bargain.