Man Convicted in 1999 Murder of Bronx Teen Sentenced After Nearly 3 Decades

Joseph Martinez, also known as "Jupiter Joe," received 25 years to life in prison for the killing of 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Nearly three decades after the 1999 murder of 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano in the Bronx, the man convicted of the crime, 54-year-old Joseph Martinez, was finally sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Soriano's body was found in a dumpster behind a Bronx video store, and prosecutors said she had been sexually abused and strangled. Investigators spent two decades searching for the killer before arresting Martinez in 2021 based on DNA evidence, making it the first case in New York City solved using familial DNA.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases and the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of justice, even decades later. It also underscores the potential of emerging forensic technologies like familial DNA to crack open cases that had gone unsolved for years.

The details

In 1999, Minerliz Soriano's body was found in a dumpster behind a Bronx video store. Prosecutors said she had been sexually abused and strangled. Investigators spent two decades searching for the killer before arresting Joseph Martinez in 2021. A DNA sample from a semen stain on the victim's sweatshirt was submitted and led to Martinez, making this the first case in New York City solved using familial DNA.

  • In 1999, Soriano's body was found in a dumpster behind a Bronx video store.
  • In 2021, investigators arrested Joseph Martinez based on DNA evidence.
  • In November 2025, a jury convicted Martinez of Soriano's murder.
  • On March 26, 2026, a judge sentenced Martinez to 25 years to life in prison.

The players

Joseph Martinez

Also known as "Jupiter Joe," the 54-year-old man convicted of murdering 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano in 1999.

Minerliz Soriano

The 13-year-old Bronx girl who was murdered in 1999, her body found in a dumpster behind a video store.

Darcel Clark

The Bronx District Attorney who announced that a DNA sample from the crime scene led to the arrest of Joseph Martinez, making this the first case in New York City solved using familial DNA.

Kimberly Ortiz

Soriano's best friend, who testified in the case and said she made a promise to never stop until she found the person who killed her friend.

Soriano's father

Soriano's emotional father expressed gratitude to the investigators and attorneys who never gave up in the fight for justice.

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What they’re saying

“A DNA sample from a semen stain on the victim's sweatshirt was submitted, and it led to Martinez.”

— Darcel Clark, Bronx District Attorney

“Even now facing sentencing, I still hold true to my convictions. That said, I wholeheartedly disagree with the jury's verdict.”

— Joseph Martinez

“I just wanna say that today, we kept that promise. My friend has been in the ground for 27 years. He got to live life.”

— Kimberly Ortiz, Soriano's best friend

“Minerliz was sweet. She was goofy ... I didn't get enough time with her, unfortunately.”

— Kimberly Ortiz, Soriano's best friend

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Joseph Martinez to appeal the conviction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of perseverance in solving cold cases, even decades later, and the potential of emerging forensic technologies like familial DNA to crack open cases that had gone unsolved for years. It also underscores the devastating impact of violent crimes on victims' families and the community's ongoing need for justice and closure.