ST. JOHNSBURY — The Vermont State Police arrested four suspects today in connection with the fatal shooting last month of Israel Jimenez Lugo, 49, at the St. Johnsbury apartment where he lived.
VSP was assisted by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations during the arrests.
The suspects and charges are:
Rafael Rodriguez, 34, of St. Johnsbury: First-degree murder, assault and robbery, and burglary of an occupied dwelling while armed.
Natasha Cady, 29, of Barton: Aiding in the commission of first-degree murder, aiding in the commission of assault and robbery, and aiding in the commission of burglary into an occupied dwelling while armed.
Brittany Clark, 33, of St. Johnsbury: Aiding in the commission of first-degree murder, aiding in the commission of assault and robbery, and burglary into an occupied dwelling.
Michael Ringuette, 55, of St. Johnsbury: Aiding in the commission of first-degree murder, aiding in the commission of assault and robbery, burglary into an occupied dwelling, and unlawful restraint.
According to court papers prepared by investigators, the four suspects are alleged to have been involved with buying and selling illegal drugs and participated in a plan to rob Israel Jimenez Lugo.
During the commission of the robbery, which took place overnight Dec. 13-14, 2022, Rodriguez fatally shot Jimenez Lugo.
Rodriguez and Ringuette were ordered held without bail.Cady and Clark for lack of $50,000 bail pending arraignment hearings, which are expected to occur at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Johnsbury.
