PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — New York State Police have arrested Chad Nichols, a 40-year-old resident of Vermontville, in connection with the shooting death of Jahfari Joseph. Nichols is facing charges of hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence in Clinton County, as well as concealment of a human corpse, hindering prosecution, and tampering with physical evidence in the town of Franklin.
Authorities stated that Nichols will be arraigned in the town of Brighton before being transferred to Clinton County Jail for a later arraignment date. Scheduled to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday is Nichols, according to Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie.
Jahfari Joseph, aged 40, was reported missing the previous December, with New York State Police ultimately discovering his body earlier in the month following an extensive search based on more than 225 leads and tips. An autopsy concluded that Joseph’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the chest, leading to the ruling of homicide.
Timothy Timmons stands accused of the murder of Joseph on the night of December 29, allegedly providing false information to investigators afterward. The arrest of Timmons was made possible by witness testimonies and evidence collected from cell phone recordings.
It was determined by investigators that Joseph was killed at a residence in Peru belonging to Timmons’ ex-wife, Kelly Timmons, on December 29, with his body subsequently being removed from the property. Sources suggest that Joseph may have been involved in a dispute with a member of the Timmons family prior to his demise.
Following a grand jury indictment on charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy, Timmons, 61, has been in police custody since being apprehended in January for second-degree murder. Kelly Timmons, indicted by a grand jury in connection with the murder and conspiracy charges, is currently in detention at Clinton County Jail pending her appearance before a judge to address the accusations. As of Monday morning, Kelly Timmons has pleaded not guilty to the charges in court.