WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — October 20, 2026. A Hazleton man received a state-prison sentence of more than 20 years on Monday after pleading guilty to third-degree murder and aggravated assault in a 2023 shooting outside a Hazle Township auto-repair business.

Reymer Gonzales, 21, entered the pleas in Luzerne County Court before Judge David W. Lupas. The judge imposed a sentence of 20 years and nine months to 41 years and six months, according to an October 19 court report.

April 2023 attack outside auto-repair shop

The underlying crime took place April 14, 2023, at Performance Auto Repair on West 23rd Street in Hazle Township. Prosecutors alleged that Gonzales and another accused gunman, Eliezer Santana, approached the business wearing masks and opened fire.

Rolando K. Cepeda, 18, sustained multiple gunshot injuries and died the next day at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest. Carlos D. Jorge survived a gunshot injury in the same attack. Prosecutors described the shooting as gang-related.

Other defendants remain part of the case

The court report states that Gonzales fled the scene with Santana in a vehicle driven by Ismael Valdez Batista. Gonzales was later arrested in Massachusetts in May 2023. Santana was returned to Luzerne County from the Dominican Republic in June 2026.

Batista previously pleaded guilty to attempted criminal homicide but had not yet been sentenced at the time of the October 19 report. Santana still faces conspiracy charges; those charges are allegations unless and until resolved in court.

Victim’s family addresses the court

Family members of Cepeda spoke before sentencing, describing the impact his death had on those close to him. Gonzales also addressed the court and apologized, according to the published account.

The plea agreement resolved Gonzales’ pending homicide trial. It did not automatically resolve the separate cases involving other defendants.

Case reporting and verified information

Because criminal cases can involve multiple defendants and different proceedings, readers should distinguish what Gonzales admitted in court from the unresolved allegations against others. Further docket activity may change the status of remaining charges.

Source: Times Leader court report, October 19.

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