LONG POND, MONROE CO. (WOLF) — Authorities have charged three men with homicide after a fatal shooting during a birthday party at an Airbnb in the Poconos, which investigators say is tied to a violent transnational gang.
On January 12, Pocono Mountain Regional Police responded to reports of gunfire at a short-term rental home on Clover Road in Long Pond. Officers arrived to find the house abandoned, with blood near the door and the body of 22-year-old Lionardo Hernandez Zarata inside. He had been shot eight times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have identified the suspects as:
Oscar Quilarque Sosa, 31
Oswaldo Solorzano Sosa, 37 (currently at large)
Josthin Landaeta Perez, 24
Authorities say the property was being used for a multi-day party where narcotics trafficking was evident. Among the substances found was Tusi, also known as pink cocaine. According to investigators, the violence erupted when a DJ hired for the party—Jesus Oliveros Sosa, the brother of two suspects—demanded payment. His brothers reportedly arrived, escalating a dispute into a deadly shootout.
Chief Christopher Wagner stated that Zarata was hit multiple times and died where he fell. The FBI later arrested Oscar Sosa in New York on unrelated federal charges on January 13. A search of his vehicle revealed three firearms, including a modified Glock capable of automatic fire, which authorities say match the weapons used in the homicide.
District Attorney Mike Mancuso confirmed that the suspects are believed to be affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a notorious international criminal network, or a splinter group known as Anti-Tren.
“This is a big case. A lot of forensic evidence, digital data, and weapons have been recovered, much of it now in FBI custody or at the lab,” said Mancuso.
While Oscar Sosa and Landaeta Perez are both in custody in New York, Oswaldo Sosa remains on the run. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
