Central Florida inmate found guilty of murdering his cellmate

OCALA, Fla. — A Central Florida man has been found guilty of murdering his cellmate.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Romeo Lopez-Hernandez, 37, of first-degree premeditated murder.

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During the trial, it was revealed that on Feb. 1, 2021, Lopez-Hernandez strangled his cellmate to death by using a torn bed sheet he had made with an improvised knife.

According to a news release, Lopez-Hernandez confessed to the murder and bragged about it to prison personnel.

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At trial, Lopez-Hernandez changed his story and claimed the victim had committed suicide.

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Lopez-Hernandez faces a mandatory penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 2023.

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