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Police unearth disturbing network of clues connecting Robert Telles to journalist Jeff German's murder

During a search, they reportedly found clothing that matched what the suspect was wearing and Telles' DNA in German's fingernails

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Authorities revealed how a series of clues connected politician Robert Telles to the murder of journalist Jeff German, who was reporting on claims about the former's "toxic work environment."

The Clark County elected official, 45, was arrested Wednesday, September 7, on suspicion of murder just days after the reporter's brutal slaying. Telles served as Las Vegas public administrator before losing a re-election in June after German published a series of allegations against the politician. The 69-year-old Review-Journal reporter was found stabbed to death outside his home Saturday, September 3, when he was apparently in the middle of writing a follow-up story on Telles.

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According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, investigators began gathering evidence against the public administrator after describing a vehicle they believed was tied to German's murder. Police were able to obtain surveillance footage that captured a confrontation on Friday, September 2, when they believe the reporter was killed. The video reportedly shows the killer walking away from the crime scene and returning six minutes later in a maroon GMC Yukon Denali. The vehicle description was matched with a photo of Telles' standing in his driveway in front of what appears to be the same car. This was the key clue that led to more chilling discoveries that further implicated Telles in the case.

Police obtained and executed a search warrant at Telles' home on Wednesday. During the search, they reportedly found clothing that matched what the suspect was wearing at the time of the crime. "As you can see there is apparent blood on the shoes, and the shoes were cut likely in a manner to try to destroy evidence," Capt Dori Koren said, noting that the hat was also cut in a similar manner. "One of the most important aspects of this investigation was waiting on the DNA results, and we received positive DNA results that showed Robert Telles' DNA at the crime scene," Koren revealed.

Telles' DNA reportedly matched samples that were found under German's fingernails. The haunting evidence was the final nail in the coffin for the elected official, and police subsequently planned to take him into custody without incident. Officers arrived at Telles' residence in tactical gear, and the official was later seen being wheeled out in a stretcher. Koren said the arrest was successful but Telles had sustained minor self-inflicted wounds in the process.

Telles was elected as a Democrat in 2018 but lost a re-election in June after German's bombshell investigative stories on him. The journalist reported on claims that Telles had created a hostile work environment and had also engaged in an "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member. However, both Telles and the staff member vehemently denied the claims. 

The then public administrator went on to post several tweets taunting the reporter while the latter dished out the investigative pieces. "Looking forward to lying smear piece #4 by @JGermanRJ #onetrickpony I think he's mad that I haven't crawled into a hole and died," Telles wrote in one of his tweets.

As mentioned, German was in the middle of a follow-up story on Telles at the time of his death.

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German's loved ones held a private service for him on Wednesday. His heartbroken family released a statement the following day. "Jeff was a loving and loyal brother, uncle, and friend who devoted his life to his work exposing wrongdoing in Las Vegas and beyond. Jeff was committed to seeking justice for others and would appreciate the hard work by local police and journalists in pursuing his killer. We look forward to seeing justice done in this case," it added.

Glenn Cook, the executive editor for the Review-Journal, also released a statement on what German's tragic death meant for freedom of the press. "The arrest of Robert Telles is at once an enormous relief and outrage for the Review-Journal newsroom," Cook said in the statement. "We are relieved Telles is in custody and outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official. We thank the Las Vegas police for their urgency and hard work and for immediately recognizing the terrible significance of Jeff's killing. Now, hopefully, the Review-Journal, the German family, and Jeff's many friends can begin the process of mourning and honor a great man and a brave reporter."