Robert Telles, a Democrat politician from Las Vegas, Nevada, has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Jeff German, a 69-year-old investigative journalist. German, known for his relentless reporting on corruption, was fatally stabbed outside his home on September 2, 2022, after exposing misconduct in Telles’ office.

German had spent 44 years reporting on crime and corruption in Las Vegas, with his recent focus on Telles’ alleged bullying, retaliation, and favoritism in exchange for sexual favors within his office. Despite the gravity of these allegations, Telles, 47, was often referred to in headlines by mainstream media outlets like Axios, ABC, AP, and CBS as an “ex-politician” or “former Las Vegas official,” with his Democratic affiliation notably omitted.

The conviction sends a strong message about the importance of press freedom and the dangers journalists face when exposing corruption. “Today’s verdict should send a clear message that any attempts to silence the media, or to silence or intimidate a journalist, will not be tolerated,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson after the sentencing.

Telles, a lawyer by profession, tried to defend himself in court by claiming that he was being framed by staff members as part of his efforts to root out corruption in the office. However, Wolfson dismissed these claims as “ludicrous.”

German’s family praised him for his dedication to his work, describing him as the “older brother that we all leaned on.” They highlighted how he turned down job offers elsewhere because he believed that Las Vegas, with its notorious reputation for corruption, was where he could make the most significant impact.

Telles will serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole, but the life sentence underscores the severity of his crime and the consequences of attempting to silence the free press.