CUHUATEMOC HINRICKY “TEMPO” PERAITA | Convicted for Involvement in a Triple Homicide During a Robbery in 1994; Later Sentenced to Death for the Murder of a Fellow Inmate for Refusing Sex | Autographed Letter Signed

Cuhuatemoc H. Peraita. Autographed Letter Signed. Commercial #10 (4.125” x 9.5”) envelope. Mobile, AL. February 24, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

The Sinister Path of Cuhuatemoc Hinricky Peraita: From Troubled Beginnings to Death Row

Born on May 19, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, Cuhuatemoc Hinricky “Tempo” Peraita was raised in an environment rife with violence and instability. On death row in Alabama, Cuhuatemoc Peraita is 26 years old and of Black Foot Indian heritage. Named after a great warrior, he is known to his friends as Lil Warrior. Cuhuatemoc spends all of his time in his cell drawing. As of March 2025, he sits on Alabama’s death row, convicted for multiple murders, including a brutal prison killing that solidified his infamy. His path to incarceration is one marked by cold-blooded violence, manipulation, and a deep entrenchment in the brutal prison underworld.

Background

Peraita’s early life was defined by chaos. His father, an abusive and violent man, met a bloody end when Peraita’s mother and aunt killed him in an act of desperation. Both women were imprisoned, leaving young Peraita to navigate a foster care system that would only deepen his trauma. Subjected to neglect and abuse, he found solace in the wrong places, forging bonds with criminals and eventually becoming one himself. He had little formal education and no steady employment, instead drifting deeper into the lifestyle of crime and survival by any means necessary.

Criminal Activity

Peraita first made headlines in 1994 when he took part in a robbery-turned-murder at a Popeyes restaurant in Gadsden, Alabama. Alongside accomplice Robert Bryant Melson, he forced four employees into the restaurant’s freezer after stealing over $2,100 from the safe. Then, in a cold-blooded act of violence, Melson opened fire. Three of the victims—Darrell Collier, Nathaniel Baker, and Tamika Collins—were executed. The fourth, Bryant Archer, miraculously survived despite being shot four times and was able to identify the assailants.

For his role in the murders, Peraita was sentenced to life without parole. But even behind bars, his appetite for violence remained unchecked.

In 1999, at Holman Correctional Facility, Peraita became embroiled in an escalating conflict with fellow inmate Quincy Lewis. According to prosecutors, Peraita and Lewis had been “partners” in prison—a common dynamic in which inmates form protective alliances. However, their relationship took a dark turn when Peraita allegedly attempted to "buy" inmate Michael Castillo with cigarettes, a grim transaction in the brutal economy of prison life.

When Lewis demanded that Peraita engage in sexual activity with Castillo and Peraita refused, the situation became deadly. Lewis, angered by the rejection, began making threats. Months later, Peraita and Castillo enacted their form of vengeance. During a violent altercation, Peraita held Lewis down while Castillo repeatedly stabbed him with a prison-made knife. Witnesses later testified that as Lewis lay dying, Peraita delivered the final, fatal blow.

Peraita later made chilling statements to law enforcement, revealing the dark underbelly of Holman prison. He claimed that sex between inmates was often facilitated by corrections officers who manipulated cell assignments, allowing convicts to sleep with whoever they wanted in exchange for contraband. He also suggested that four cartons of cigarettes were the going rate for purchasing sexual favors from an inmate.

Legal Proceedings

Peraita’s involvement in the Popeyes massacre had already landed him a life sentence, but his role in Quincy Lewis’s murder would be his undoing. In 2001, he was tried in Escambia County for capital murder. Prosecutors presented a compelling case, emphasizing that Peraita had not only restrained Lewis during the attack but had also actively participated in his execution. The court found him guilty on two counts of capital murder—one for committing a murder while already serving a life sentence and another due to his prior murder convictions.

Unlike his first trial, Peraita chose to waive jury participation during sentencing, opting to let the judge determine his fate. The result was swift and unforgiving: the death penalty.

Despite numerous appeals over the years, his sentence has remained unchanged. Higher courts have consistently upheld the decision, viewing Peraita as a remorseless killer with no chance of rehabilitation.

Impact on Victims and Society

The repercussions of Peraita’s crimes have been devastating. The families of Darrell Collier, Nathaniel Baker, and Tamika Collins continue to grieve their senseless murders, while survivor Bryant Archer bears both physical and psychological scars. The Popeyes massacre became a grim reminder of the dangers employees face in late-night establishments, sparking discussions about workplace safety and security measures.

Within the Alabama prison system, the murder of Quincy Lewis exposed the harsh realities of life behind bars. Peraita’s statements about sexual transactions and corruption among prison staff raised unsettling questions about inmate exploitation and the hidden economy within correctional facilities. His case reignited debates about whether life-sentenced inmates should be housed alongside other violent offenders and whether stronger oversight is needed to prevent further bloodshed.

Current Status

As of 2025, Peraita remains on Alabama’s death row, confined to a maximum-security cell as he awaits execution. There are no known records of his participation in rehabilitation programs, and given his history of violence, he is considered a continued threat to both inmates and correctional officers. His legal team continues to file appeals, but with little success.

Conclusion

Cuhuatemoc Hinricky Peraita’s life is a cautionary tale of how early trauma, unchecked aggression, and a thirst for power can lead to an inescapable spiral of violence. His case underscores the importance of intervention for at-risk youth, the need for stronger prison oversight, and the harsh realities of life in the criminal underworld.

Additional Note

Due to Peraita’s notoriety and current incarceration, any autographed items linked to him would be rare and potentially valuable to collectors of criminal memorabilia. However, the ethical implications of such acquisitions should be carefully considered.

VIDEO: Officer's respond to Popeye's Chicken Shooting in Gadsden, AL from 1994 | https://youtu.be/IKQbm71W7V4

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