READING, Pa. (TCN) — A 61-year-old man is facing three consecutive life sentences in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in the 2025 deaths of a couple and their 1-year-old son.
On April 14, Jose Rodriguez entered a negotiated guilty plea for killing Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, 31, Junior Cabrera-Colon, 31, and Jeyden Junior Peguero, 1, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Rodriguez was reportedly in a relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and killed her because she would not leave her husband for him. Rodriguez also co-signed an apartment lease with her, according to NBC Philadelphia. On Sept. 12, 2025, Rodriguez shot her in the head before driving 1-year-old Peguero to a lake and throwing him in. The following day, Rodriguez and Cabrera-Colon got into a fight and Rodriguez fatally shot Cabrera-Colon.
Rodriguez was charged with murder in Cabrera-Colon’s death on Sept. 18, 2025. He was also charged with murder on Sept. 29, 2025, in the killings of Peguero and Peguero-Mancebo, per NBC Philadelphia.
According to Berks County District Attorney John Adams, Peguero’s death amounted to torture, WFMZ reports. Adams said, “I don’t think we can express in words the tragedy and the horrific circumstances of that child’s death. That child was thrown into an algae-laden pond and left there to die.”
Family members, including some who traveled from the Dominican Republic to be present in court, gave victim impact statements. Rodriguez did not make a statement, WFMZ reports. The judge sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences without parole. He will also be ordered to pay restitution.
NBC Philadelphia reports Rodriguez had no prior criminal history.
Adams said, “Justice has been served. He will never see the light of day and hopefully, this will bring some closure to the family and to anyone who knew any of the victims.”
