Armed Robbery, Murders, and Drug Trafficking Ring Exposed in Florida
Orange County, FL — A four-year drug trafficking ring that spanned Florida has been linked to an armed robbery spree, carjacking, and two murders, federal authorities announced during a news conference on Thursday. The investigation, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg, has resulted in federal charges against seven individuals, revealing a network of violence and crime.
A federal grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against the suspects, listing charges that include conspiracy, robbery, firearm violations, drug trafficking, carjacking, kidnapping, and arson. Among the crimes was the murder of 36-year-old Katherine Aguasvivas during a deadly carjacking and kidnapping in April 2023.
A Trail of Violence
Authorities allege that Jordanish Torres Garcia, charged with shooting and killing Aguasvivas, collaborated with his brother, Sonic Torres, and friend Kevin Ocasio-Justiniano. Both Sonic Torres and Ocasio-Justiniano have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the crimes.
Investigators revealed chilling details of the group’s activities. Ocasio-Justiniano reportedly purchased law enforcement tactical gear in 2022 to facilitate home invasion robberies. One such robbery occurred in February 2023 when Torres Garcia and Ocasio-Justiniano held residents of a Poinciana home at gunpoint.
Just days before Aguasvivas’ murder, the same firearm allegedly supplied by Derrick Rodriguez Bonilla was used to kill a tow truck company owner during an attempted robbery outside his home. The level of violence prompted Handberg to issue a stark warning: “This level of brutality and violence is something that’s going to get the full response of the United States government.”
The Murder of Katherine Aguasvivas
Aguasvivas’ body was discovered in her SUV after it was set on fire in Osceola County. Authorities stated that Torres Garcia and Ocasio-Justiniano purchased lighter fluid earlier that day to destroy evidence. Investigators say the pair targeted Aguasvivas to rob her of $170,000 she had collected for laundering drug money. The funds were linked to a large-scale operation involving drug trafficker Giovany Crespo Hernandez.
The victim’s husband, Miguel Aguasvivas, was indicted in October 2023 for his alleged role in laundering money for the drug operation. Authorities claim he organized trips between South Florida and Orlando to facilitate cash drops and coordinated the conversion of drug money into cryptocurrency, earning commissions in the process.
Expanding the Investigation
The indictment also named Monicsabel Romero Soto, Anneliz Colon De Jesus, and Cesar Silva Fernandez as suspects tied to the drug ring, which reportedly trafficked over five kilograms of cocaine into Central Florida. Handberg emphasized that the case remains active. “We’re going to follow up on each and every one of those leads. I don’t expect this to be the end of this story,” he said.
The federal charges mark a significant step in dismantling the violent criminal network, with authorities vowing to pursue justice for the victims and prevent further harm to the community.
