A judge in the Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Services in Santiago has ordered three months of preventive detention for seven men linked to the killing of garbage truck driver Deivy Carlos Abreu Quezada. The prosecutor department of the Attorney General Office, the Public Ministry has categorized the incident as a coordinated assault executed by a “criminal mob.”
Judge José Rafael de Asís Burgos issued the ruling for preventive custody after reviewing evidence presented by the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office. The defendants face charges of criminal association and murder, in violation of several articles of the Dominican Penal Code.
Details of the detention
The court individuals to serve their pretrial detention in the Rafey (Santiago), La Isleta (Moca), and El Pinito (La Vega) correctional facilities are Adony Antonio Ureña Ventura, Andrés Monclú González, Carlos Andrés Roa Morán, Miguel García Balbuena, Joanfry Joel Núñez, Juan Carlos Soto Ortiz and Kevin Francisco Metz Cruz.
Kevin Francisco Metz Cruz is the brother of the primary suspect and alleged material author of the crime, Jhovanny de Jesús Metz Cruz, who remains at large.
Legal argument for co-authorship
Victim family attorney José Martínez Brito emphasized that the prosecution is pursuing a theory of “criminal co-authorship” rather than mere complicity. According to Martínez Brito, the case file contains robust evidence showing that the group acted with a common intent. Witnesses reportedly testified that several individuals incited the physical aggressor by shouting “kill him” during the attack.
“We are not talking about complicity here; there is co-authorship,” Martínez Brito stated. “This implies that every person involved must answer with the same severity under the law.”
Evidence and Investigation
Prosecutors Joanna García Rivas and Luisa García documented the case using physical, testimonial, and video evidence. Notably, authorities have recovered the murder weapon. The Public Ministry highlighted that the defendants acted in a coordinated manner with homicidal intent. They further noted a lack of evidence suggesting any of the motorcyclists were injured, which significantly weakens any potential claims of self-defense.
Sarah Seline Abreu Quezada, the victim’s sister, expressed hope that the judicial process would prevail. “We will wait for God’s will and for the full weight of the law to fall on those responsible,” she said.
Manhunt for “Macho” Continues
While seven suspects are now in custody, the alleged material author of the fatal stabbing, Jhovanny de Jesús Metz Cruz (alias “Macho”), remains a fugitive. Despite multiple raids in Montecristi and various intelligence operations conducted by the National Police, his whereabouts remain unknown.
The hearing was conducted under heavy military and police presence at the Palace of Justice due to the high-profile nature of the case and significant public interest.
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Attorney General Office
El Caribe
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
28 April 2026