Police Examine Motive Behind Torture and Death of Sam Nordquist
Warning: This blog contains limited graphic descriptions of violence and torture necessary to describe the nature of the crime.
Given what Sam Nordquist suffered before he died, there's no question that some type of hate was involved. Whether it was specifically targeted at who Nordquist was or just the kind of hatred carried by people comfortable with perpetrating evil acts is still being determined. Investigating authorities don't want the public to jump to any conclusions.
Nordquist's lengthy torture and gruesome death have shocked and horrified the people of Ontario County, located in the western part of New York State. With five suspects in custody and grand jury indictments expected soon, the question of exactly what constitutes a hate crime may come under the microscope again.
Mistaken Trust
Sam Nordquist, a transgender man, met Precious Arzuaga online in July 2024. On September 28, he left his home state of Minnesota and flew to New York, intending to spend two weeks with Arzuaga at Patty’s Lodge, a motel in Canandaigua, New York.
His family became concerned when Nordquist missed his return flight and they were unable to contact him for 24 hours. Over the ensuing months, they believed that Arzuaga was controlling him and became concerned for his safety, claiming he'd filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Social Services (DSS).
After he fell out of contact again in late January of 2025, the family filed a missing person report on February 9. After police questioned Arzuaga, his body was found on February 13 in a field about 20 miles away from Canandaigua.
"A Heinous Act of Violence"
Protections to allow enforcement of hate crimes on a federal level began as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. It provided a framework for charging crimes that involved race, color, religion, or national origin.
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed into law in 2009 by President Barack Obama, expanded coverage to include crimes involving gender identity and sexual orientation. Hate crime classification can also add enhanced penalties to certain violent charges.
The brutality of the abuse committed to Nordquist shocked longtime members of the Ontario County District Attorney's Office and law enforcement. Nordquist suffered ongoing sexual assault and was beaten with ropes, belts, dog toys, and sticks. The coroner has yet to determine the exact cause of death.
Given the violence involved and that Nordquist was a transgender male, there was early speculation that this would almost certainly be classified as a hate crime. While not ruling out the possibility, Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts attempted to take a step back by revealing that the suspects had become familiar with Nordquist and that some may be part of the local LGBTQ+ community.
The five suspects - Arzuaga, Patrick Goodwin, Kyle Sage, Jennifer Quijano, and Emily Motyka - were all charged with second-degree murder with depraved indifference. Each charge carries a sentence of between 15 and 20 years if convicted. Goodwin is registered as a Level 3 sex offender, the highest classification in New York. Two of the other defendants have criminal records as well.
Next Steps for the Prosecution
The horrific torture Nordquist was subjected to seems like the very definition of evil, but that doesn't mean those who inflicted it will face hate crime charges. Unless it can be proven that Nordquist was targeted for a qualifying characteristic under the hate crime definition, prosecutors may be wary of trying to meet the higher standard.
The types of abuse heaped on Sam Nordquist are unfathomable for most people. Those responsible are facing long sentences regardless of the classification of their alleged offenses.
Related Resources
- 5 Things To Know About Missing Persons Reports (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Hate Crime: The Violence of Intolerance (FindLaw's Civil Rights Law)
- Government Prosecution of Criminal Civil Rights Violations (FindLaw's Enforcing Your Civil Rights)
