A New York judge has sentenced two women to life in prison without the possibility of parole for their involvement in the torture and death of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist. Precious Arzuaga and Jennifer “Brooklyn” Quijano received the maximum penalty for their actions, which occurred between January 1 and February 1, 2025, at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell, New York.
Arzuaga, identified by prosecutors as the ringleader, pleaded guilty in June to all 10 charges against her, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, coercion, and concealment of a human corpse. Quijano faced similar charges, including murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy.
The victim, a transgender man from Minnesota, had traveled to the Canandaigua area in the summer of 2024 to visit Arzuaga, whom he met on TikTok. While his family believed he was embarking on a two-week vacation, he was ultimately held against his will. Following his death, his body was discovered in a field in Yates County.
During Arzuaga’s sentencing, Ontario County Judge Kristina Karle addressed the defendant, noting that Nordquist had come to New York seeking love. The court also heard a victim impact statement from the victim’s mother, Linda Nordquist, who described her son as a kind and trusting individual. Arzuaga offered an apology to the family, though her remarks were met with audible laughter from those in the courtroom.
Prosecutors highlighted a text message sent by Arzuaga to co-conspirators, which stated, “Sam can never leave New York alive.” Ontario County First Assistant District Attorney James Nobles argued that the tragedy would not have occurred without Arzuaga’s leadership, noting that her guilty plea spared the family from hearing the graphic details of the case at trial.
The prosecution characterized Quijano as the “muscle” behind the operation, driven by jealousy. Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck presented evidence showing that Quijano and six other defendants had pinned Nordquist between chairs while berating him. Testimony revealed that Nordquist was frequently forced into a dog cage and referred to by Quijano as a “two-legged dog.”
In her own defense, Quijano’s attorney, Neil Gunther, argued that his client was also a victim of Arzuaga’s long-term physical and mental abuse. Quijano expressed remorse in a written statement read by her lawyers, saying, “I’m sorry I hurt Sam, and I’m sorry I didn’t help Sam.”
Judge Karle rejected the notion that Quijano was merely a bystander, stating that while she may have been abused by Arzuaga, she had the opportunity to act as a savior rather than participating in the “cruel, torturous, horrific, dehumanizing actions.” The judge added that the evidence of Quijano’s active participation in the abuse was clear.
The victim’s sister, Kayla Nordquist, also provided an impact statement, questioning how the situation might have ended if just one person had chosen to intervene or treat her brother with humanity. Judge Karle noted that Arzuaga’s history of domestic incident reports suggested a recurring pattern of behavior.
The legal proceedings regarding the other defendants involved in the case are ongoing. Emily Motyka and Kyle Sage have entered guilty pleas; Sage is scheduled for sentencing in December, while Motyka’s sentencing date remains pending. Three other defendants—Thomas Eaves, Kimberly Sochia, and Patrick Goodwin—are currently awaiting trial, which is slated to begin in January 2027. The report also notes that 1, 2025, along with five other defendants in room 22 of Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell, New York, before disposing of his body in a field in Yates County. The report also notes that what was stated previously by the family was true. The report also notes that and I’m willing to accept whatever punishment you are to give me,” Arzuaga said as people in the courtroom audibly laughed at her apology, sam really did love me and my kids. The report also notes that when I was reading these reports, I was wondering why someone so good was taken tragically. The report also notes that to the point where Quijano called Arzuaga her “baby moms” and Arzuaga called her “baby dads.” Arzuaga, she said, was the one pulling the strings within the group, while Quijano was “the muscle behind it, van Strydonck said Arzuaga and Quijano were once romantically involved. The report also notes that and that Quijano takes responsibility for her actions, he explained that Arzuaga physically and mentally abused Quijano for years.
