Two men receive maximum sentence for merchant's murder in Esmeraldas

A court in Esmeraldas has handed down the maximum sentence to two men for the murder of a 63-year-old merchant. Jefferson Joel L.A. and Jordy Gabriel N.V. were each sentenced to 40 years in prison for their roles in the killing.

Two other individuals, Jonathan Junior P.Q. and Michael Nixon F.G., received 20-year sentences as accomplices. The crime took place on August 18, 2025, when the victim, Edgar A., was shot multiple times in his pharmacy.

Security camera footage was crucial in identifying the four suspects, who were apprehended shortly after the incident. Prosecutors revealed that the murder stemmed from an extortion attempt, commonly known as "vacuna," which the victim refused to pay.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence including expert testimonies and witness accounts from law enforcement. The court found all four defendants guilty based on the presented evidence, determining their sentences according to their level of involvement in the crime. The final fines and restitution amounts will be detailed in the written judgment.

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