The devilish ringleader who helped torture and homicide a transgender man at an upstate New York motel was handed the utmost punishment on Tuesday because the courtroom erupted in cheers.
Treasured Arzuaga and her ex-girlfriend Jennifer Quijano have been sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for parole for his or her roles within the lethal month-long torture of Sam Nordquist in 2025.
“F–okay you. You’re the satan,” a spectator contained in the Ontario County court docket gallery shouted as others praised Decide Kristina Karle’s heavy punishment, in response to the Instances Union.
Arzuaga, who pleaded responsible to first-degree homicide in July, stored her head hung to the bottom, solely lifting it to blow a kiss to her mom as she was escorted out of the room.
“All of us need to know why,” Karle requested. “Why was somebody so good taken so tragically? Was it as a result of Sam was the whole lot you weren’t and can by no means be?
Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man, was discovered lifeless in a area in Yates County on Feb. 13, 2025.
The Minnesota transplant had been staying with Arzuaga at Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua, roughly half-hour exterior of Rochester, since he arrived within the Empire State in September 2024.
Arzuaga lured Nordquist to the area underneath the prospect of a loving relationship however as a substitute started a marketing campaign of torment stretching from Jan. 1, 2025 to Feb. 2, 2025.
“Sadly and tragically, he discovered you. And also you characterize the whole lot reverse of Sam,” Karle stated.
The devious lady led a bunch of six others, together with Quijano and two kids — considered one of whom was her son — to beat, torture and sexually assault Nordquist contained in the motel room.
Nordquist was punched, kicked, crushed with sticks, canine toys, ropes canes and belts — and assaulted with a desk leg and broomstick within the weeks resulting in his dying.
He died of repeated acts of violence and torture, authorities dominated.
Nordquist was reported lacking by relations on Feb. 9, after he misplaced contact with them.
He was discovered dumped within the area in Yates County wrapped in plastic a number of days later.
For the grueling month, Nordquist was held captive inside and caged like a canine in a cynical crime prosecutors in comparison with a Hollywood horror movie.
“That is the worst of the worst,” Ontario County First Assistant District Legal professional James Nobles stated. “It might be widespread on tv or within the motion pictures, however not in actual life.”
Nordquist’s mom and sister spoke earlier than Arzuaga was sentenced.
“Sam had the gentlest coronary heart of anybody I’ve ever identified,” his mom Linda stated. “He noticed the great in folks. Even when they didn’t deserve it.”
Prosecutors didn’t disclose a motive for Arzuaga’s actions however revealed chilling textual content messages she had despatched earlier than Nordquist’s homicide.
“Sam can by no means depart New York alive,” one message from Arzuaga learn, as attorneys characterised it as “torture for torture sake,” WHAM reported.
Each Arzuaga and Quijano pleaded responsible in July to all prices they confronted, together with first-degree homicide, kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated sexual abuse, concealment of a human corpse and endangering the welfare of a kid.
Quijano’s involvement in Nordquist’s torture and homicide was motivated by jealousy after Arzuaga’s consideration was now not targeted on her, prosecutors stated.
“It’s simply that Sam had Treasured’s consideration and she or he hated him for it,” Assistant District Legal professional Sara Van Strydonck stated. “So that you need to know the motive? The motive is jealousy.”
Emily Motyka and Kyle Sage each pleaded responsible to second-degree homicide and second-degree kidnapping for his or her roles in Nordquist’s dying. They’re awaiting sentencing.
The three remaining defendants — together with Patrick Goodwin and Thomas Eaves — are scheduled to go to trial in January.
