Man accused in ‘horrific' deaths of family of four in NY arrested, officials say
A man suspected of killing a family of four in New York, including two young children, was arrested in the Dominican Republic, authorities said.
Luis Francisco Soriano, also known as Jefry Yevo, was working at a hotel in Punta Cana after learning that federal marshals were in Puerto Rico, where he fled to after the killings, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a June 4 news release.
He was one of the USMS District of Puerto Rico's top 10 most wanted fugitives, according to authorities.
Dominican authorities and members of the USMS in Santo Domingo arrested the 31-year-old Soriano after he finished a shift at the hotel's call center, authorities said.
'Every case is important to us, but this one not only deeply impacted our communities in New York and Puerto Rico, it shook our entire nation,' Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico, said in the release.
'The horrific nature of this crime, which resulted in the tragic death of a family, including two innocent children, rocked the very foundation of our society governed by law and order.'
Soriano and his brother are accused of killing two kids, ages 2 and 4, and their parents at their home in Irondequoit on Aug. 31, 2024, authorities said and WHEC reported.
Police found the family dead in the basement while responding to a fire, according to WHEC.
Soriano and his brother, Julio Cesar Pimentel-Soriano, who was arrested a week after the killings, face charges including murder, burglary, kidnapping and arson, WHAM reported.
Irondequoit is about 5-mile drive northeast from Rochester.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco convicted of sexually abusing a child and gets a suspended sentence
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday. Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship. Franco, now 24, was found not guilty of charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling. 'Look at us, Wander,' she said. 'Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time." Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl's mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term. 'Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,' Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter's schooling and other expenses. Franco's attorney, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge's ruling: 'Evidently, justice was not done." Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal. Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras reviewed the extensive evidence prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses. 'This is a somewhat complex process,' Veras said. More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: 'The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.' As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times. Franco, who was once the team's star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time. In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so. While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman's attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle. That case is still pending in court. After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy 'that reflects our commitment to these issues.' 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,' MLB said. ___
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Will Wander Franco, convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, play in MLB again?
Rays shortstop Wander Franco received a two-year suspended prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a minor in the Dominican Republic. The ruling has raised questions about the 24-year-old's MLB future. He is on MLB's restricted list and last played Aug. 12, 2023, and it's certainly possible he will not play again in the majors. 4 Dominican Major League Baseball player Wander Franco attends a trial at the Palace of Justice in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on June 26, 2025. Orlando Barría/EPA/Shutterstock Franco signed a franchise record 11-year, $182 million extension with the Rays in 2021 that can be worth up to $223 million and includes a club option for the 2033 season. Sportico noted how Thursday's ruling affects whether Franco will be allowed to enter the United States since he has a criminal record in a foreign country. Franco reportedly could remain in the United States from 2021-23 due to a visa, and this ruling could affect whether he can obtain another visa. ESPN said it's 'likely' Franco will have trouble getting a visa and he would remain on the restricted list without one. The U.S. Department of State can shoot down a visa application if an applicant has a criminal history, including sexual abuse, per Sportico. 4 wander Franco at his trial on June 26, 2025. AP MLB is still investigating the situation and could levy discipline on Franco. He is not paid while on the restricted list. The league could make him ineligible through its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, although Franco could appeal such a decision, per Sportico. Franco also was charged in the Dominican Republic for illegal possession of a handgun in June and the case is pending, per ESPN. 4 Wander Franco in 2023. AP 'Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues,' the league said in a statement released Thursday, per 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.' The Rays could try to void the contract due to Franco violating clauses regarding conduct, with Franco being found guilty for sexually abusing a 14-year-old while he was 21. As Sportico noted, though, that could be a slippery slope, with the Padres losing a battle in 1987 after pitcher LaMarr Hoyt received a 45-day jail sentence. 4 Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a two run homer against the Yankees during a 2023 game. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Tampa Bay could always just release Franco, although such a decision would almost surely come after the two-year sentence and following any potential MLB discipline. The sides could also attempt to negotiate a buyout. Should Franco become a free agent, it's still uncertain of whether any other teams would be willing to sign him following this conviction. MLB teams have not signed pitcher Trevor Bauer after he received a two-year suspension — eventually reduced to 192 games — following assault allegations. Bauer was not found guilty of a crime and has accused the league owners of being blackballed.
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Fox Sports
Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco convicted of sexually abusing a child and gets a suspended sentence
Associated Press PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday. Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship. Franco, now 24, was found not guilty of charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling. 'Look at us, Wander,' she said. 'Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time." Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl's mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term. 'Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,' Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter's schooling and other expenses. Franco's attorney, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge's ruling: 'Evidently, justice was not done." Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal. Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras reviewed the extensive evidence prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses. 'This is a somewhat complex process,' Veras said. More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: 'The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.' As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times. Franco, who was once the team's star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time. In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so. While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman's attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle. That case is still pending in court. After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy 'that reflects our commitment to these issues.' 'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,' MLB said. ___ Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Ron Blum in New York contributed to this report. recommended
