A quadruple murderer who slaughtered a family including two young children aged 2 and 4 was finally captured in a Dominican Republic resort town where he was casually working at a hotel call center, following a complex international manhunt.
Key Takeaways
- Luis Francisco Soriano was arrested in the Dominican Republic after fleeing the U.S. following the horrific murder of four people, including his own cousin and two young children.
- The suspect initially escaped to Puerto Rico before settling in Punta Cana, where he was working at a hotel call center until his capture.
- U.S. Marshals collaborated with Dominican authorities in a complex cross-border operation to apprehend the fugitive.
- Soriano faces multiple serious charges including second-degree murder, burglary, kidnapping, and arson, in addition to narcotics offenses.
- His brother, Julio Cesar Pimentel-Soriano, was previously arrested for the same murders and is also wanted for a 2019 murder in the Dominican Republic.
Brutal Family Slaughter Shocks New York Community
The gruesome quadruple homicide that occurred on August 31, 2024, in Irondequoit, New York, sent shockwaves through the community when Fraime Ubaldo, Marangely Moreno Santiago, and their two young children, Evangeline and Sebastián, were discovered dead in their burning home. What makes this crime particularly heinous is not just the murder of innocent children, but also that two of the primary suspects are actually cousins of one of the adult victims. This familial betrayal adds another layer of horror to an already unimaginable tragedy that has devastated multiple communities across state and international lines.
The first arrest came shortly after the killings when authorities apprehended Julio Cesar Pimentel-Soriano, who pleaded not guilty to the charges but remains held without bail. Adding to the disturbing nature of this case, Pimentel-Soriano is also wanted for a separate 2019 murder in the Dominican Republic, suggesting a pattern of violent behavior that crossed international boundaries. Meanwhile, his brother Luis Francisco Soriano, also known as Jefry Yevo, fled the country, triggering a months-long international manhunt that would test the collaborative capabilities of multiple law enforcement agencies.
International Manhunt Leads to Dominican Republic Capture
After the brutal murders, Luis Francisco Soriano demonstrated careful planning in his escape, first fleeing to Puerto Rico before eventually making his way to the Dominican Republic. His calculated movements suggest he believed the jurisdictional complexities would protect him from American justice. In a stunning display of nonchalance, Soriano secured employment at a hotel call center in Punta Cana, one of the country’s premier tourist destinations, apparently believing he could simply blend into normal life despite the heinous crimes he allegedly committed against his own family members and their young children.
“Without a doubt, this is an exceptional job by the Deputy U.S. Marshals of the U.S. Marshals Service, both nationally and internationally. It is truly worthy of recognition, and our communities should feel reassured knowing that this fugitive has been captured and will face justice,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico
The capture itself demonstrated precision and patience, with U.S. Marshals working in concert with Dominican authorities to track down Soriano. Law enforcement waited until he had completed his shift at the hotel call center before making the arrest “without incident.” This strategic approach prevented potential civilian casualties while ensuring the dangerous fugitive was taken into custody. Soriano now faces extradition to the United States, where he will answer for multiple charges, including murder, burglary, kidnapping, arson, and narcotics offenses.
Impact on Communities and Questions About Immigration
The case has had profound effects across multiple communities, with U.S. Marshal Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra acknowledging its far-reaching impact. While authorities celebrate this capture as a victory for international cooperation, serious questions remain about how criminals like the Soriano brothers are able to move freely between countries. This case highlights yet another instance where violent offenders exploit America’s porous borders and inconsistent immigration enforcement, a critical concern for communities across the nation who demand better protection from foreign criminals.
“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. 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,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico
While law enforcement should be commended for their dedication in this case, the tragedy raises alarming concerns about the free movement of dangerous individuals across our borders. The fact that one brother was already wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic before allegedly participating in this quadruple homicide in New York underscores the need for more rigorous immigration controls and international criminal database sharing. For the families of the victims, however, the capture represents the first step toward justice in a case that has forever altered their lives.
