John Creech, the longtime suspect in the disappearance and killing of Fox film distribution exec Gavin Smith, was charged with Smith's murder Thursday. Creech is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for a separate drug charge.

Smith, 57, was last seen leaving a friend's house in May of 2012 and was declared dead by police two years later—his body was found by hikers in Palmdale, Ca. last October.

A major break in the case, authorities said, came in February 2014 when Smith's Mercedes Benz was found in a storage locker linked to Creech. Evidence gathered from his car led police to believe Smith had been murdered there (either by Creech himself or a hitman). It has long been alleged that Smith and Creech's wife had been carrying out an affair after meeting in rehab.

In September 2012, Creech, 42, pleaded no contest to one count of selling and transporting cocaine and is currently serving that eight-year sentence; if convicted, he faces 25 years to life. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

[Image via NBC Los Angeles]