Two individuals were sentenced on April 10 for the murder of a Miami man, following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and federal partners, according to a May 1 announcement. Tsvia Kol of Hallandale, Florida, received over 19 years in federal prison, while Jimmy Sanchez of Spring Valley, California, was sentenced to 27 years and six months. Both pleaded guilty to using a firearm resulting in death and conspiring to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.
The case is significant as it highlights law enforcement’s ongoing efforts against violent drug trafficking crimes. The two defendants believed their victim had stolen $90,000 worth of drugs that had actually been seized by law enforcement in 2022.
ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said, “This pair of criminals valued their drug haul more than they valued a human life. They accused the victim of stealing about 11 pounds of meth and murdered him in cold blood, and now they’re going to spend the next few decades in prison. Getting dangerous drug dealers — and the poisons they peddle — off American streets is truly a whole-of-government approach, and I’m proud of the HSI special agents who worked closely with the DEA, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office, the Hialeah Police Department and the San Diego Sheriff’s Office to put these two behind bars.”
Court documents show that Kol and Sanchez confronted their victim in a hotel room they rented; Kol provided Sanchez with a firearm before entering. During this encounter, the victim called 911—a call that recorded both an altercation and gunshots.
Hotel security footage showed both suspects fleeing after the incident. The body was discovered one day later. Sanchez admitted he shot and killed the victim; Kol admitted her role as an accomplice.
Further details about this case can be found on Justice.gov.
