One of the defendants charged in the death of Sam Nordquist is expected to plead guilty to all charges against her during a court appearance in Ontario County on Friday.
According to a report by Syracuse.com, Kayla Nordquist, the victim’s sister, said Assistant Ontario County District Attorney James Nobles informed the family that 38-year-old Precious Arzuaga intends to plead guilty to all 11 counts she faces. Kayla Nordquist told the news outlet that Arzuaga is not seeking a reduction in her sentence as part of the plea.
Arzuaga is scheduled to appear before Ontario County Judge Kristina Karle on Friday morning. She had previously been scheduled to stand trial beginning August 31.
Arzuaga faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and torture, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors allege she forced her two young children to participate in the abuse of Nordquist.
Authorities allege that Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man, was held captive and subjected to prolonged abuse at Patty’s Lodge in Canandaigua between January 1 and February 1, 2025. After being reported missing by his family to local authorities, Nordquist’s body was later found in a field in Benton. Prosecutors say Arzuaga and six co-defendants were involved in the abuse that led to Nordquist’s death.
The co-defendants in the case are Emily Motyka, Jennifer Quijano, Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, Thomas Eaves, and Kimberly Sochia. Earlier this month, Motyka pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping.
