Police Department

SPD Detectives Refer Charges to Prosecutor in 2012 Murder Case; Murder Suspect in Custody: Rendering Suspect Outstanding

Monique Cotton, Public Information & Communication Director, 509.363.8285

Monday, June 16, 2014 at 4:59 p.m.

Spokane Police detectives have referred charges to the Spokane County Prosecutor in the murder case of David “Brandon” Deponte. Deponte was found deceased from several gunshot wounds in December of 2012. Since then, Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives have worked to identify the suspect.

A warrant has been issued for 1st Degree Murder warrant for 31-year-old Bud Ray Brown. Brown is currently in custody in Federal Prison in Coleman, Florida. He will return to Spokane to appear in court on the Murder charge. The timeline for his return to Spokane will be determined by the Spokane County Prosecutor.

Additionally, a warrant has been issued for 28-year-old Alicia C. Sweet for 1st Degree Rendering Criminal Assistance related to the homicide (her photo is attached). Anyone with information on Sweet’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Check at 509.456.2233.

On 12/7/12, just before 9 a.m., Spokane Police received a report of a deceased male in an alley near the 2000 block of W. Bridge. Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives responded to the scene and determined the male, David (27-year-old Brandon Deponte) had been shot several times in the head.

Through investigative follow-up, detectives were able to connect Brown, Sweet and a distinctive firearm to the homicide.

Detectives believe Brown shot Deponte, likely because of a dispute over another female the night before the homicide. Detectives also believe Sweet misled detectives in the course of their homicide investigation and assisted Brown (her boyfriend at the time) in getting rid of the gun used in the homicide.

Detectives tracked down and recovered the firearm, which had been sold to another party after the homicide.

Detectives do not believe this incident is random and the parties were known to one another.

This investigation and the subsequent referral of charges demonstrates the relentless effort of Spokane Police Department detectives in pursuing individuals who commit crime in our community.

Currently, violent crime in Spokane is down nearly 24 percent when compared to this time last year.

Related Photos

• Alicia C. Sweet

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