Seven Accused in Torture and Killing of Black Transgender Man Plead Not Guilty

Sam Nordquist, 24, endured a month of abuse before his body was found in a field in upstate New York; suspects face life imprisonment if convicted.

Seven suspects, including Sam Nordquist's former partner, Precious Arzuaga, have pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege Nordquist was tortured for over a month at a New York motel, suffering physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, before his death in February 2025.
The indictment details that two children, aged 7 and 12, were coerced into participating in the abuse, with protective orders issued to prevent contact with them.
Nordquist's family had reported him missing after losing contact during his visit to New York to meet Arzuaga, whom he had met online.
While LGBTQ advocates have called for hate crime charges, prosecutors argue that limiting the case to hate crime charges would not fully address the severity of the crimes committed.