All seven individuals charged in connection with the death of a Minnesota man in Ontario County will be tried separately.
Authorities allege that 24-year-old Sam Nordquist was subjected to weeks of torture at Patty’s Lodge before his death on February 1, 2025.
Nordquist was reported missing on February 9. Investigators say the abuse occurred between early January and early February, ultimately leading to his death. His body was later recovered in a field along Payne Road in Benton. It is believed Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to the Finger Lakes in September of 2024 and was staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell with some of the suspects.
Officials have confirmed that Nordquist was transgender, but say there is no evidence at this time to classify the case as a hate crime.
First Assistant District Attorney James Nobles and Chief Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck will handle the prosecution. Ontario County District Attorney Jason MacBride is not directly involved in prosecuting the case.
Kimberly Socchia, of Canandaigua, Thomas Eaves, of Geneva, Precious Arzguaga, of Canandaigua, Jennifer Quijano, of Geneva, Emily Motyka, of Lima, Patrick Goodwin, of Canandaigua, and Kyle Sage, of Rochester were indicted on charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree conspiracy, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Goodwin, Sage, Arzuaga, and Quijano are also charged with first-degree aggravated sexual abuse.
Bottom Row (L to R): Kimberly Sochia, Precious Arzuaga, Thomas Eaves (photos: provided)
It is also alleged that Arzuaga forced a 7-year-old and a 12-year-old to partake in some of the acts of torture against Nordquist. For that, she has been charged with two counts of coercion.
The first trial in the case is currently scheduled to begin in September.
