Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, a 21-year-old illegal Ecuadorian migrant, was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for strangling his childhood friend, Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza, to death on her 21st birthday.
In an Onondaga County courtroom, he apologized to Toaquiza’s family, saying, “I want to apologize to Jhoana’s family, to my family and to my friends for all the pain and suffering that I have caused. I feel really bad and ashamed for this situation that caused, for ignoring my principles and values.”
“I understand and I respect their pain. I acknowledge the damage that I made and I’m responsible for my actions. I regret everything and I wholeheartedly ask for your forgiveness. I wasn’t conscious about what I did.”
The Ecuadorian national crossed into the U.S. illegally in January 2023 and murdered Toaquiza, whom he had known since childhood, on June 18, 2024. He then dumped her body in a Syracuse park.
Following the murder, he used her credit card to make several purchases, including a subscription to OnlyFans.
Toaquiza’s father addressed the court, saying, “We are devastated by losing my princess.”
Judge Ted Limpert, who sentenced Chacaguasay-Ilbis, said the crime was “inexplicable” and added, “The court is not aware of, nor is the family aware of the reasons that this happened, and it’s very disturbing. They can’t understand it, nor can I, nor can the people of this community, why you would take the life of such a young, beautiful woman.”
