EAST MORICHES, NY — Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that James Quininchetta, 41, of Ridge, has pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree and related weapons charges for the fatal shooting of his former girlfriend, Rebecca Roth, 33, of Moriches.
This defendant chose to respond to a perceived financial dispute with irreversible violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Today’s guilty plea holds him accountable for a devastating crime. Our thoughts remain with Rebecca Roth’s loved ones, who continue to endure the lasting pain of her loss.”
According to court records and Quininchetta’s admissions during his plea, on June 6, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Quininchetta went to Roth’s apartment complex in Moriches to confront her over money he believed she owed him. While the victim was seated inside her parked vehicle, Quininchetta fired a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun seven times before fleeing the scene. A forensic examination determined that Roth died from multiple gunshot wounds to her torso.
Responding Suffolk County Police officers recovered the handgun from a nearby parking lot, along with ammunition packaging and spent shell casings. A K-9 unit later located a fanny pack containing additional ammunition in a wooded area near the scene.
Quininchetta was arrested the following day, June 7, 2025.
On January 29, 2026, Quininchetta pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei to one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies.
Quininchetta is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 11, 2026, where he is expected to receive a sentence of 23 years to life in prison.
Key Facts and Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | James Quininchetta |
| Age | 41 |
| Residence | Ridge, New York |
| Victim | Rebecca Roth |
| Victim Age | 33 |
| Victim Residence | Moriches, New York |
| Relationship | Former romantic partners |
| Incident Date | June 6, 2025 |
| Incident Time | Approximately 12:30 a.m. |
| Location | Apartment complex, Moriches |
| Weapon Used | .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun |
| Shots Fired | Seven |
| Cause of Death | Multiple gunshot wounds to the torso |
| Alleged Motive | Perceived financial dispute |
| Arrest Date | June 7, 2025 |
| Charges Pled To | Murder in the Second Degree; Criminal Possession of a Weapon (2 counts) |
| Top Charge Class | Class A felony |
| Plea Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Sentencing Judge | Justice Timothy P. Mazzei |
| Expected Sentence | 23 years to life in prison |
| Sentencing Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Investigating Agency | Suffolk County Police Department |
| Prosecuting Agency | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office |
