CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — Five people were arrested in western New York state in the death of Sam Nordquist of Red Wing, Minnesota. The case is murder, apparently connected to Nordquist as a vulnerable transgender man. Nordquist was 24. Charges with second-degree murder:
Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Geneva, N.Y. Misdemeanor convictions for petty larcenies, criminal trespass and a sale of an imitation control substance. Investigators said Arzuaga had been staying at Patty’s Lodge with Nordquist and others, some of whom are being sought.
Patrick A. Goodwin, 30, of Rochester, N.Y., who lived at the motel. A registered sex offender from a 2015 case with a pre-teen minor.
Emily Motyka, 19, of Rochester, N.Y.
Jennifer A. Quijano, 30, of Geneva, N.Y.
Kyle Sage, 33 of Hopewell, N.Y.On parole for larceny and disseminating indecent material to a minor.
All were held without bail at the Ontario County jail. If convicted as charged, each could face from 15 years to life in prison. More arrests were possible, sources said. Authorities are guarded about releasing details. Captain Kelly Swift, a New York state investigator, said prosecutors aren’t ready to declare the death a hate crime. Swift said, however, that Nordquist had been subjected to months of “repeated acts of violence and torture” and “profound physical and psychological abuse.” Evidence suggests the death occurred at the motel and the body taken away to conceal the crime, sources said.