A Baltimore man has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison for his involvement in the 2022 murder of a California man during a drug trafficking-related crime. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that drew significant attention due to its violent nature and interstate connections.
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Ziyon Thompson, 21, of Baltimore, received a sentence of 22 years and one month in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland, along with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Baltimore Police Department. Thompson had pleaded guilty to using a firearm resulting in death during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Miguel Soto-Diaz traveled from California to Baltimore on May 7, 2022, to meet with Thompson about their marijuana operation. The following day, Thompson picked up Soto-Diaz from a downtown hotel and drove him to a residence on Furrow Street. There, Thompson restrained Soto-Diaz and initiated a FaceTime call to the victim’s son in California, showing Soto-Diaz bound and gagged. Thompson then demanded 200 pounds of marijuana and $50,000 in exchange for Soto-Diaz’s release.
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Text messages sent by Thompson warned against contacting law enforcement, threatening that Soto-Diaz would not survive otherwise. Later that day, the Baltimore Fire Department responded to a fire at the Furrow Street residence. Authorities found Soto-Diaz’s body inside, with multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation, led by ATF and the Baltimore Police Department’s Homicide Unit, resulted in Thompson’s arrest and eventual guilty plea.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors involved in bringing the case to resolution. Additional information about the office’s initiatives and community resources can be found on its official website.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
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