Associated Press Published

Suspect Arrested in Death of Coal Executive Bennett Hatfield

Anthony Arriaga

An Ohio man accused in the fatal shooting of a former coal chief executive has waived his right to an extradition hearing.

Twenty-year-old Anthony Arriaga of Delphos, Ohio, appeared in court Tuesday in Lima, Ohio, about 12 hours after his arrest on a first-degree murder warrant.

Arriaga is accused in Monday’s shooting of Bennett Hatfield at a southern West Virginia cemetery where his wife is buried.

Municipal Court Chief Deputy Clerk Brenda Benedict says Arriaga signed forms waiving his right to have an extradition hearing. Bond was set at $1 million.

Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish says West Virginia authorities are expected to transport Arriaga back to face charges.

A second man has also been arrested. 

Twenty-year-old Ricky Dean Peterson of Wayne was being held Tuesday at the Western Regional Jail.

Peterson is charged in a criminal complaint with being an accessory after the fact, obstructing and providing false information to an officer.

The complaint says after Arriaga allegedly went to Peterson’s home before going to Ohio, Peterson told a state trooper he had no knowledge about Arriaga or Hatfield’s death. Two others at the residence allegedly told the trooper that Arriaga had been there and spoke with Peterson.