A Hood River man accused of killing the mother of his child last year was sentenced to 17 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of manslaughter and assault.
Miguel Angel Soto-Quintana, 29, was convicted for the death of Cecilia Campuzano-Ortiz, 23, last October. Soto-Quintana will serve 16 years in prison for manslaughter and 14 months for fourth degree assault. He will also serve three years in a post-prison supervision program and pay $14,611 in restitution, most of which is portioned for the victim’s family.
In a written statement read by his translator, Soto-Quintana said he had been drinking and had “lost control” when he caused Campuzano-Ortiz’s death by suffocating her.
“At a certain time I lost control and, without thinking about it, I grabbed a pillow and I put it on her face so she wouldn’t scream anymore … Afterwards, I realized that she was not breathing anymore.”
Soto-Quintana expressed remorse for his actions. “At the moment I was not thinking,” he said. “My bad behavior and terrible actions were the cause of her death.”
Soto-Quintana was held in Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility in The Dalles for nearly six months before his sentencing hearing. He was arraigned last October and appeared in court via video feed from jail in November. During the latter appearance, Lance requested postponement of the hearing in order to prepare a plea.
Soto-Quintana appeared before Judge John Wolf in a packed courtroom at the Hood River County Courthouse Wednesday. Members of both the accused and victim’s families were present.
Deputy District Attorney Carrie Rasmussen presented photographic evidence to the judge. She said law enforcement officers found evidence of scratches on the defendant’s chest that were consistent with the shape of the victim’s hands. Forensics specialists found DNA underneath Campuzano-Ortiz’s fingernails that matched the scratches on Soto-Quintana’s chest.
Campuzano-Ortiz was found dead in her apartment near Montello Avenue and 22nd Street on October 6, 2014 when police responded to the residence for a welfare check. Friends and coworkers reported they had not heard from Campuzano-Ortiz for several days. Campuzano-Ortiz was previously a supervisor at Cardinal Glass in Odell and most recently worked at U.S. Cellular in Hood River.
Soto-Quintana was arrested the day after Campuzano-Ortiz was discovered deceased in her home. Soto-Quintana was convicted for violating the terms of his probation he received in September 2013 for assaulting Campuzano-Ortiz that July. As part of his 18-month probation, Quintana-Soto was ordered to have no contact with Campuzano-Ortiz, except via mail or email to arrange parenting time, and text messaging for medical emergencies involving their three-year-old daughter.
At the court hearing Wednesday, Rasmussen presented family testimonials to attest to the repercussions of Campuzano-Ortiz’s death. Yolanda Alvarado, a relative of Campuzano-Ortiz, said Soto-Quintana’s actions had left his daughter without a mother, as well as a father.
“I don’t think anyone will understand what was going through your head when you did what you did,” Wolf said after sentencing Soto-Quintana. “Not only did you obviously end Cecilia’s life, but you dramatically impacted the life of your own daughter.”
Wolf urged Soto-Quintana to consider the ramifications of his actions while in prison.
“Your actions had a very significant impact not only directly upon the victims, but on a wide group of people in this community. I hope you consider that while you’re in custody,” Wolf said.
Soto-Quintana will remain in Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility until he is transported to Coffee Creek Corrections Facility in Wilsonville. There, authorities will conduct a 30-day assessment before deciding which prison he will ultimately be transferred to.
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