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Cleveland man sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing 94-year-old woman and raping teen

“This individual is a monster."

CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above video is from coverage of Cornelius Pames in 2019

A 27-year-old Cleveland man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for several crimes committed in Slavic Village in 2018. 

Among the crimes that Cornelius Pames pleaded guilty to was the murder of a 94-year-old woman and the rape of a teenager between September and October 2018.

“This individual is a monster who terrorized Slavic Village during this three-week crime wave,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement, “We hope that this will bring a sense of closure to the victims and some tranquility to the residents of this neighborhood.”

On September 17, 2018, the victims, a 94-year-old Eucebia Garcia and her 74-year-old daughter, Marina, were staying at a family member’s Gertrude Avenue home while visiting from Honduras when Pames broke into the residence in the middle of the night. He physically assaulted both victims while they were sleeping, and stole several items – including a cellphone, iPad, jewelry, and cash – before fleeing the scene. Eucebia Garcia later died at MetroHealth Medical Center, while Marina Garcia survived her injuries. 

Pames was linked to the crime through DNA evidence he left on scene.

On October 1, 2018, a 16-year-old was finishing her schoolwork at her Park Avenue apartment near East 74th Street when Pames broke into the residence in the middle of the day. He broke in using a crowbar, sexually assaulted the victim several times, and threatened to kill her and her mother if she told anyone. Pames then duct taped the victim to a chair and stole several items – including two laptops, a set of car keys, and a Kindle – before fleeing the scene. Pames was again linked to the crime through DNA evidence from the sexual assault kit as well as DNA collected from the duct tape left at the scene.

Pames was arrested by the Cleveland Division of Police on October 15, 2018.

He pleaded guilty to the following charges prior to being sentenced:

  • Two counts of Rape
  • One count of Involuntary Manslaughter
  • One count of Attempted Murder
  • Four counts of Kidnapping
  • Two counts of Aggravated Burglary
  • One count of Gross Sexual Imposition
  • One count of Escape

Previous Reporting:

Editor's Note: The below video is from a previously published, unrelated story

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