Guilty plea in 2012 triple homicide in Independence
A Kansas City, Kan., man pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in a home invasion robbery during which three people were killed in Independence.
Raul Soto, 23, admitted in federal court in Kansas City that he and several co-conspirators went to a house in the 1500 block of South Pope Avenue on Nov. 16, 2012, to rob a man who they believed had a large amount of methamphetamine.
They tied up and beat some of the residents, who denied having any drugs or money. Three of the occupants — Maria Hernandez; her boyfriend, Tomas Dominguez-Gregorio; and her son, Antonio Hernandez — were shot and killed. A 12-year-old son of Maria Hernandez was shot and wounded.
Soto admitted in his guilty plea that he was armed with a 9 mm handgun during the incident and killed Antonio Hernandez.
Under terms of the plea agreement, attorneys will recommend a 27-year prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.
Four co-defendants have already pleaded guilty in the case.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send email to trizzo@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published July 29, 2014 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Guilty plea in 2012 triple homicide in Independence."