Man who Sent Video of Girlfriend’s Dead Body After Shooting Her in the Head Sentenced

A Pennsylvania man who killed his girlfriend and then shared video footage of her body has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Life for Girlfriend’s Murder

Miguel A. Rodriguez, 40, was convicted of first-degree murder for the September 11, 2022 killing of 33-year-old Nemesis Florentino in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. Following the murder, Rodriguez called a friend and showed him Florentino’s lifeless body during a video call. The friend immediately alerted authorities. When police arrived, Rodriguez refused to surrender, initiating a five-hour standoff with law enforcement during which he fired more than 100 rounds at officers, making it impossible for emergency responders to assist the victim. Judge Craig Stedman handed down the life sentence, citing the danger Rodriguez posed to society and calling the crime an “assault on decency.”

Graphic Video and Disturbing Confession

According to the probable cause affidavit, after shooting Florentino, Rodriguez made a video call to a friend in which he admitted to the killing and turned the camera to show her body. He later left the same friend a chilling voicemail saying, “Hey, I love you. Forgive me for what I’ve done. I’m not turning myself in to the police… Take care of my kids and all.” Police responded to the home around 1:30 a.m., where Rodriguez had barricaded himself with firearms. During the prolonged standoff, he fired more than 100 shots at police and law enforcement vehicles, placing officers and bystanders at extreme risk.

Surrender and Conviction

Rodriguez’s standoff with the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) came to an end when he briefly opened the front door and pointed a rifle at officers. A SERT member shot Rodriguez in the shoulder, prompting him to surrender around 6:30 a.m. He was then transported to a nearby hospital for treatment before being taken into custody. In February, a jury found Rodriguez guilty of multiple charges, including first-degree murder, assault on law enforcement with a firearm, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, and recklessly endangering others. Assistant District Attorney Kyle Linardo described Rodriguez’s actions as “particularly heinous” and highlighted the disturbing nature of the video call made to his friend, calling it an act for which “there is no legal remedy.”

Remorse and Sentencing

At his sentencing, Rodriguez expressed remorse, claiming he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the murder and asking Florentino’s family for forgiveness. “I’m very remorseful for what happened. I was blinded by drugs,” he said. Despite his apology, the court remained firm in its decision. In addition to the life sentence, Rodriguez received an additional 41½ to 85 years for the multiple charges related to assault and obstruction. Judge Stedman emphasized the need to protect society from Rodriguez, concluding one of Lancaster County’s most disturbing cases in recent memory.