Ziyon Thompson, Aiding and Abetting a Murder, Maryland 2024

Baltimore Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Aiding and Abetting a Murder

In a federal court, Ziyon Thompson, 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 22 years and one month in federal prison for aiding and abetting the murder of Miguel Soto-Diaz on May 8, 2022.

According to the guilty plea, Thompson used a firearm resulting in death during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

The crime took place in Baltimore, Maryland, where Thompson picked up Soto-Diaz from a Downtown Baltimore hotel and drove him to 325 Furrow Street. Thompson then placed a FaceTime call to Soto-Diaz’s son in California and showed him that his father was duct taped, gagged, and tied to a chair.

Thompson demanded 200 pounds of marijuana and $50,000 for Soto-Diaz’s safe return. He texted, “Pap said send the bags and money so he can be ok and he said don’t call the police or he want [sic] be coming home.”

At approximately 7:03 p.m., the Baltimore Fire Department responded to a house fire at 325 Furrow Street where officers found Soto-Diaz dead inside the house with multiple gunshot wounds.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the ATF and BPD Homicide Unit for their work in the investigation. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia McLane and Alex Kalim who prosecuted the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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