In a significant development within a high-profile criminal investigation, Dominican law enforcement authorities have apprehended a senior military officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a teenage woman. The suspect has been identified as Major Diego Geraldo Mesa Arismendy, a 48-year-old officer serving in the Army of the Dominican Republic (ERD).
The arrest stems from the tragic death of 19-year-old Perla Jokasta Santos Pacheco, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head during the early hours of December 26, 2025. The incident occurred in the Los Guandules sector of the National District, prompting an intensive investigation by specialized homicide units.
According to an official joint statement released by the National Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Major Mesa Arismendy’s detention resulted from meticulous investigative work conducted by the Operational Department II of Homicide Investigations, operating under the Central Directorate of Investigation (Dicrim). Investigators employed comprehensive forensic techniques, including extensive reviews of surveillance footage from multiple locations and thorough evidence collection and analysis.
The judicial process followed established legal protocols, with the suspect remanded into custody pending formal proceedings. Major Mesa Arismendy will be presented before the Public Prosecutor’s Office to face appropriate legal actions as determined by Dominican law. Authorities have emphasized that investigations remain active, with additional developments expected as the case progresses through the judicial system.