06/03/2025 | Press release | Archived content
Baltimore, Maryland - Today, Ziyon Thompson, 21, of Baltimore, Maryland was sentenced to 22 years and one month in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the murder of Miguel Soto-Diaz, on May 8, 2022. Thompson was charged with using a firearm resulting in death during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to the guilty plea, on May 7, Miguel Soto-Diaz traveled from California to Baltimore, Maryland, to meet with Thompson to discuss their marijuana growing/selling venture. On May 8, Thompson picked up Soto-Diaz from a Downtown Baltimore hotel and drove him to 325 Furrow Street. Then Thompson placed a FaceTime call to Soto-Diaz's son in California and showed him that his father was duct taped, gagged, and tied to a chair.
Thompson then demanded 200 pounds of marijuana and $50,000 for Soto-Diaz's safe return. Thompson texted "Pap said send the bags and money so he can be ok and he said don't call the police or he want [sic] be coming home." Then at approximately 7:03 p.m., the Baltimore Fire Department responded to a house fire at 325 Furrow Street where officers found Soto-Diaz dead inside the house with multiple gunshot wounds.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD Homicide Unit for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia McLane and Alex Kalim who prosecuted the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Kevin Nash
USAMD.Press@usdoj.gov
410-209-4946