By: Richard L. Smith
Three Elizabeth men have been sentenced for their roles in the 2023 shooting death of Vladimir Martinez, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Friday in coordination with Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves and Police Chief Giacomo Sacca.
According to officials, Union County Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez sentenced 26-year-old Albenys Soto-Fernandez to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison for aggravated manslaughter and conspiracy to commit murder.
Soto-Fernandez will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Two other defendants, 26-year-old Jofrandy Diaz-Ramirez and 23-year-old Yoel Sanchez, were each sentenced to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.
Both will also be required to serve 85% of their terms before parole consideration.
The charges stem from a deadly shooting that occurred during the early hours of January 1, 2023. Elizabeth Police responded to a report of gunfire near 4th Street, where they discovered Martinez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
All three defendants entered guilty pleas in January 2025.