OCALA, Fla. — A Central Florida man has been found guilty of murdering his cellmate.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Romeo Lopez-Hernandez, 37, of first-degree premeditated murder.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
During the trial, it was revealed that on Feb. 1, 2021, Lopez-Hernandez strangled his cellmate to death by using a torn bed sheet he had made with an improvised knife.
According to a news release, Lopez-Hernandez confessed to the murder and bragged about it to prison personnel.
At trial, Lopez-Hernandez changed his story and claimed the victim had committed suicide.
Read: Troopers investigate deadly crash involving pedestrian in Orange County
Lopez-Hernandez faces a mandatory penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 2023.
Read: 2 stabbed during fight in Orange County, deputies say
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
