Precious Arzuaga Pleads Guilty

Precious Arzuaga led out of Ontario County Court by armed troopers after court appearance

(June 26, 2026) - Today in Canandaigua, New York, Precious Arzuaga, 40, was walked into a Ontario County Courthouse where she pleaded guilty to all charges in the murder and torture of Sam Nordquist, a 24 year old Trans masculine man who had traveled from Minnesota to Central New York to meet her in late 2024.

Seven people were indicted in the crime, Arzuaga was the reported “ringleader” but each were charged with different levels of involvement including murder, kidnapping, concealing a corpse, sexual assault, conspiracy, coercion and endangering the welfare of a child stemming from children being present and encouraged to participate in parts of the crime.

13WHAM Rochester reports, William Smith, Arzuaga's assigned attorney spoke with reporters outside of the Canandaigua courtroom,

There was no plea deal. There wasn't anything of that nature," said William Smith, Arzuaga's assigned attorney. "She got nothing in exchange, so to speak, for her plea. She accepted responsibility.

Prosecutors say Arzuaga is expected to receive a life-sentence without possibility of parole on September 4 when she next faces the judge. Co-defendant Emily Motyka pleaded guilty June 2 to second-degree murder and kidnapping. Motyka faces 15 years to life in prison, with a maximum sentence of 50 years to life. A sentencing date has not been set.

The remaining defendants — Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, Jennifer Quijano, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves — are awaiting separate trials in the fall.