(KALAMAZOO) – A suspect has been arraigned in the 2017 murder of a 71 year old man.

According to WWMT, 31 year old Joshua Wessel was arraigned Tuesday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court on a charge of open murder. He was arrested in connection with the June 4, 2017 murder of 71 year old Ronald French. Wessel said he was innocent.

Wessel has been a person of interest in the case after he was arrested driving French's vehicle in June 2017. He served 90 days for auto theft.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department has been actively investigating the case.

It's believed Wessel killed French after an argument between the two men at French's Brady Township home. French's body was found June 26, 2017 by a farmer in a field near Fulton.

Wessel was denied bond. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.