Man concealed body of Arizona real-estate agent who disappeared in 2015

KINGMAN — A man has pleaded guilty to concealing the body of a real-estate agent who disappeared more than two years ago while showing a property in a remote area outside Kingman.

William Sanders entered his plea in Superior Court on Friday, the Mohave Daily News reported.

The newspaper reported over the weekend that the 55-year-old had also been charged with tampering with physical evidence, a charge that was dismissed.

Deputy Mohave County Attorney Bob Moon had asked the judge to delay Sanders' sentencing until after the May trial of Alfredo Gerardo Blanco, his co-defendant

Real-estate agent disappeared in 2015

Blanco is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Sidney Cranston Jr., who was last seen on June 16, 2015, when he was showing property to a client.

Cranston's remains were discovered Jan. 7, 2017, buried on a remote property east of Kingman. The Medical Examiner's Officer determined the death was caused by a gunshot wound and ruled it a homicide.

Under his plea agreement, Sanders is to be sentenced to supervised probation. Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert is set to sentence Sanders on Aug. 31. If Blanco's trial is not postponed, Sanders' sentencing could occur earlier.

Testimony is condition of deal

Sanders also agreed to testify at Blanco's trial, said Moon. But the prosecutor added that if Sanders doesn't testify, or if he testifies untruthfully, he will withdraw the plea agreement.

The two men reportedly worked for Cranston as handymen and Blanco also managed some of the real estate agent's properties.

The prosecutor said Sanders helped bury Cranston's body in a hole that Blanco had dug using a backhoe on Wilson Ranch Road in a remote property east of Kingman. Sanders later offered to help in the 1 ½-year search for Cranston's body, officials say.

MORE LAW & ORDER NEWS:

Police identify Phoenix man fatally shot in his driveway after checking noise

Police: Ohio pastor helped rob Sunday school teacher

Officials: Man shot by Mesa police has died