HELENA — Two Helena area men have been charged in connection with a body found in the Rimini area last Friday.
Robert Harvel, 32, is facing charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence. Brandon Michael Beckman, 36, is also facing charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence.
Lewis and Clark County Dispatch received a call from a snowmobiler around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14. The caller said they were near Moose Creek Campground and had found what they believed to be human remains.
Once deputies arrived on the scene, they confirmed the discovery of human remains and locked down the area for investigation.
Court documents say detectives were able to identify the victim and that the man had suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
During the course of the investigation detectives received a tip from an individual who had been in the area the day prior and helped two men who had become stuck in the snow. The witness told investigators that the two men seemed nervous and left the area quickly once their car was unstuck.
A second search of the area Saturday turned up a cell phone that allowed detectives to contact individuals who knew the victim and recreate his movements over the previous days.
They determined that the victim had cashed a check in Great Falls earlier in the week and was gambling with Harvel at two East Helena casinos on the afternoon of Jan. 12. Court records say Harvel matched the description of one of the men who had become stuck up in the Rimini area.
During initial questioning, Harvel admitted to being in the Rimini area near where the body was found, but denied having anything to do with the death.
However, when detectives questioned Beckman, who was with Harvel in the Rimini area, court records say Beckman told investigators that Harvel had ordered him to drive himself and the victim to the Rimini area to reportedly to pick up methanpehtamine but instead shot the victim and took his money.
Justice of the Peace Michael Swingley set bond at $75,000 for both men. They are due back in District Court on February 3 where they will enter a plea.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton is holding a press conference at 2:15 p.m. and will provide more information about the deceased at that time.
