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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to 1998 Murder
ROCHESTER, N.Y.–In a shocking turn of events, Pablo Plaza, 38, a Rochester resident, has pleaded guilty to the brutal murder of Francisco Santos on the Seneca Indian Reservation in Erie County, N.Y. in October 1998.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, Plaza, who was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Rochester area, murdered Santos as part of a retaliation for the theft of drugs and money from other members of the conspiracy. Santos, a member of the drug distribution conspiracy, had stolen from others and was subsequently beaten and stabbed to death by Plaza and other co-conspirators.
The murder was part of a larger drug trafficking conspiracy that involved cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from 1993 to March 2011. Plaza’s conviction is a significant blow to the conspiracy, which has been linked to multiple violent episodes.
“This conviction is proof that no matter how long ago a murder was committed, this office will continue to relentlessly investigate and prosecute those responsible for such violent episodes,” said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. in a statement.
Plaza, who faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison, will be sentenced at a later date. The case is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies to bring justice to victims and their families.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, Violent Crime Team/Firearms Suppression Unit. Numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation, including the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.
The trial of the remaining defendants charged in connection with Santos’ murder is expected to take place later this year or early 2015. The case is a sobering reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and the devastating consequences of violent crime.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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