Florida authorities have charged a 19-year-old man with first-degree murder and multiple additional offenses after prosecutors say he brutally killed his elderly former roommate in a rage after being kicked out of the man’s home.
The suspect, identified as J. Trevino, is accused of killing 67-year-old J. Torneo, a retired nurse who had allowed the teenager to live with him for several months. Investigators say Trevino stabbed Torneo and then struck him in the head with a bottle of wine “to make sure he was dead” after Torneo asked him to leave the residence.
According to court records, Trevino faces 14 felony charges and seven misdemeanors connected to the killing. The charges include first-degree murder, as well as theft-related offenses involving Torneo’s cash, credit cards, and vehicle. Authorities said Trevino is being held without bond at the county jail, with arraignment scheduled for January 20, 2026.
The case came to light when a concerned neighbor contacted law enforcement after not seeing Torneo for several days. Sheriff G. Judd said deputies initially visited the home after the report but believed Torneo was not inside and left. The neighbor later returned with others after continued failed attempts to reach him, entered the home, and discovered Torneo’s body on the floor.
Investigators learned that Torneo had allowed Trevino to stay with him since September. Torneo reportedly evicted him on December 10 after Trevino failed to pay rent or assist with household responsibilities.
Authorities quickly identified Trevino as a suspect after learning Torneo’s credit cards had been used at local businesses. Sheriff Judd said Trevino even used one of the cards at a pizza restaurant where he worked as a dishwasher. Deputies later spotted Torneo’s stolen vehicle early Monday morning.
At about 4:42 a.m., officers saw Trevino enter the stolen car and attempted to arrest him. Trevino allegedly fled, crashed the vehicle, and tried to escape on foot before deputies apprehended him.
While in custody, Trevino reportedly confessed. According to Sheriff Judd, Trevino said he was angry about being kicked out and upset about living in a shed behind a friend’s house, adding that he did not want to be separated from his girlfriend.
Investigators said Trevino admitted to breaking into Torneo’s home through a bathroom window and hiding in a closet until Torneo fell asleep. When Torneo discovered him and said he should not be there, Trevino allegedly shoved him onto the bed, retrieved a knife from the kitchen, and stabbed him. Afterward, prosecutors say Trevino grabbed a bottle of wine from a cooler in the bedroom and beat Torneo in the head to ensure he was dead.
Authorities said Trevino took the knife and wine bottle with him and threw them into a creek. Law enforcement later recovered both items during the investigation.
Trevino remains jailed without bond as prosecutors prepare their case. The violent killing has shocked neighbors and community members, who described Torneo as a kind, retired nurse who opened his home to someone in need — a decision that ultimately cost him his life.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Reply