Man Charged in Phoenix Dancer's Brutal Murder

New Charges in the Murder of Mercedes Vega

A man accused of an armed robbery involving an exotic dancer in Arizona five years ago has now been charged with murder, kidnapping, and other crimes in connection with her 2023 killing, according to court records obtained on Tuesday. Cudjoe Young, 29, was indicted on charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, arson, theft, and armed robbery with a deadly weapon in the April 16, 2023, killing of Mercedes Vega. A copy of the indictment reveals these serious allegations.

Another suspect, Sencere Hayes, was previously charged with Vega’s murder last year and was later indicted on July 24 for the same charges as Young, along with hindering prosecution. Both suspects are scheduled for arraignment on August 1. Hayes is currently held without bond, with a $4 million bail set. Young, however, is being held without bond due to a separate case.

The attorneys for both Young and Hayes have not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office confirmed that the charges related to Vega remain open but did not provide further details.

A third suspect, Jared Gray, was previously charged with murder in this case and was awaiting extradition from Georgia, where he was held on unrelated charges. However, recent jail records show that he does not appear to be in custody in Maricopa County.

Details of the Crime

Mercedes Vega, 22, was allegedly kidnapped from the parking garage of her apartment building on the night of April 16. Her car, a Dodge Charger, was later found abandoned nearby. She was discovered beaten, shot, and burned in the backseat of a Chevrolet Malibu on an interstate east of Phoenix during the pre-dawn hours of April 17. Authorities reported that bleach had been poured down her throat.

Vega’s family believed her death was connected to an armed robbery at her Phoenix apartment building on October 12, 2020. During that incident, a masked assailant robbed her at gunpoint after she finished a shift at a Phoenix strip club. Young was charged with armed robbery after Vega identified him as a suspect. Her mother mentioned that she was scheduled to testify in that case on the day she was found dead.

Two other women who worked at the same club as Young were targeted in similar crimes by a man matching Young’s description. He was charged with attempted robbery in one of the cases. Young has pleaded not guilty to those charges. No arrests have been made in the third case.

Legal Proceedings and Developments

Young’s trial for the robbery and attempted robbery cases was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday. However, he sought to have his attorney removed and is now representing himself, according to his former lawyer. The attorney, Burges McCowan, said he will remain on the case as Young’s advisory counsel. McCowan declined to comment on the allegations.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the case, previously sought conspiracy charges related to Vega’s murder and kidnapping. According to a probable cause statement filed last month, Young allegedly paid two individuals to pick up the Malibu in which Vega’s body was found. This vehicle was purchased through an online seller in March. Authorities also suggested that Young may have bought plane tickets for his co-defendants from Tennessee to Arizona.

A fingerprint found on a grocery bag in Vega’s car belonged to Hayes, while a print belonging to Gray was discovered on a plastic cup in the Malibu. These findings add to the growing evidence against the suspects involved in the case.