Man going to prison for killing father-in-law near boy
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Ruben Pioquinto (Manatee County Jail). Background: Home in Bradenton, Florida, where Pioquinto lived (WTVT).

A man from Florida has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting his father-in-law in front of a 15-year-old boy, based on court records.

Ruben Pioquinto, aged 32, faced a conviction in November for second-degree murder in the 2022 killing of Anderson Guerra Rivera, who was 33. On Friday, the judge imposed a life sentence on him, as indicated by the records.

The case unfolded on January 19, 2022, when the victim’s family contacted the Bradenton Police Department to report his disappearance and potential murder, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. The 15-year-old witness, the victim’s stepson, informed the police that Pioquinto had killed Guerra Rivera the night before. He recounted that Pioquinto was driving with the victim seated in the passenger seat and himself in the backseat.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

At one point, Pioquinto fired shots in the air as he was driving and pointed the gun at another man outside the car that the boy did not know. Later, Pioquinto pointed the gun at Guerra Rivera. According to the Bradenton Herald, Pioquinto put the gun to the victim’s head asked him “Are you afraid of dying?” When Guerra Rivera said no, Pioquinto pulled the trigger and shot Guerra Rivera in the head.

“Point blank range, cold-blooded killing,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells told reporters at the time.

Pioquinto drove off with the boy and the victim’s body in the front seat, per cops. The defendant drove to a bridge in the 5600 block of U.S. Highway 19 in Palmetto. Pioquinto pulled over and “ordered” the boy to remove Guerra Rivera’s body from the truck and onto the side of the road. The defendant pointed a gun at the boy and threatened to kill him if he told anyone.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Over some dumb stuff’: Mom allegedly plunges ‘short sword’ into daughter’s back during argument, then blames victim

While driving, Pioquinto slapped the boy and tried to bite him, cops noted.

They arrived back home and Pioquinto told the boy to lay down on the couch so “he could keep an eye on him.” The boy fell asleep and the next morning a family member asked about his stepfather. It was then the boy opened up about what happened the night before.

A jury convicted the defendant after a four-day trial in November.

 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Probationer Detained Following Home Invasion and Attempted Escape

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Taurus Cordarryl Duncan, aged 36, found himself…

Additional Teens Face Charges Following Violent Altercation at Sydney Shopping Centre

Two more teenagers have been charged over an alleged brawl at a…

Judge Slams Trump Administration for Non-Compliance in Humanities Grant-Funding Lawsuit

President Donald Trump speaks during a lunch with African leaders in the…

Indiana Man Charged in Tragic Attack: Father Dead, Mother Critically Injured

An Indiana man is facing serious charges after allegedly killing his 81-year-old…

Wisconsin Judge Convicted of Felony Obstruction, Cleared of Aiding Mexican Immigrant in ICE Evasion

Inset: Surveillance video shows Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan speaking with ICE…

Shocking Allegation: Freshman Student’s ‘Hit List’ Raises Alarming Safety Concerns in High School

A 14-year-old boy from Maine has been taken into custody after authorities…

Authorities Report: Boyfriend Accused of Fatally Assaulting Girlfriend’s 2-Year-Old Daughter and Concealing Her in Basement

Background: A section of the 2100 block of South Beechwood Street in…

Mastermind Behind Fatal Home Invasion Faces Justice as Accomplices Turn Against Him

Background: News footage of Patrick Watson in court on Dec. 16 as…

Joran Van der Sloot Discovered in Critical Condition with Neck Injury, Authorities Report

Last week, Joran Van der Sloot, convicted for murder, reportedly attempted suicide…

Myrtle Beach Pastor John Paul Miller Indicted by Feds Following Wife Mica’s Tragic Swamp Death and Cyber Stalking Allegations

In a troubling turn of events, John Paul Miller, a pastor from…

Reserve Officer and Bus Driver Accused of Child Abuse Involving Seven Victims

A reserve police officer and his wife have been taken into custody,…

Breaking: Tragic River Incident Involving Mother and Toddler Confirmed as Murder-Suicide

In a tragic turn of events, Alabama authorities have confirmed that the…