Man sentenced for drug-related triple homicide in Independence

An Independence man was sentenced Tuesday to 27 years in federal prison for a 2012 home invasion robbery that left three people dead.

Kevin M. Finley, 36, pleaded guilty last September to charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

He was one of 11 people prosecuted for their roles in the attempt to steal a large amount of drugs from a residence in the 1500 block of South Pope Avenue in Independence.

Three occupants of the home — Martin “Tomas” Dominguez-Gregorio, his girlfriend, Maria Guadalupe Hernandez-Corona and her son, Antonio Hernandez — were shot to death by Finley and another defendant, Raul Soto, who was previously sentenced to 27 years in prison.

A 12-year-old son of Hernandez-Corona was also wounded when he attempted to protect his mother from being shot.

Believing there were large amounts of drugs and cash in the house, Finley and Soto, both armed with guns, forced their way into the residence on Nov. 16, 2012.

Occupants denied that there were any drugs in the house. They were bound and beaten before they were shot.

A motorcycle and a television set were stolen from the home.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Man sentenced for drug-related triple homicide in Independence."