Rock Valley Man Charged With Murder, Arson In Death Of Grandfather

Rock Valley, Iowa — A Rock Valley man faces charges of 1st Degree Murder, and 1st Degree Arson, as a result of the investigation into a fire that killed an elderly Rock Valley man about two weeks ago.

Shortly before 2:30 am on Sunday, October 29th, Rock Valley firefighters were called to the report of a house fire at 1416 15th Street in Rock Valley. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a portion of the house was fully engulfed by fire, and were told there was someone inside the dwelling. Firefighters gained entry into the residence, extinguished the fire, and discovered the body of a male in the dwelling.

Authorities identified the victim as 84-year old Luis Luevanos of Rock Valley.

Rock Valley Police Chief Monte Warburton says the death of Mr. Luevanos, connected to the fire, sparked an investigation by the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office and Rock Valley Police Department, in consultation with the Sioux County Attorney. Warburton says the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was also contacted, and special agents were brought in to assist in the investigation.

Warburton says the investigation revealed that the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to his body prior to the fire.

Chief Warbutron says investigators learned that Santos Rodriguez, Jr., a grandson of the victim, had resided in his grandfather’s home, and had travelled to Utah after the fire. DCI agents reportedly travelled to Utah and interviewed  Rodriguez, Jr. Officials say he admitted to stabbing his grandfather and intentionally setting the fire afterward.

Warburton says Santos Rodriguez, Jr. was arrested Wednesday (November 8th) in Utah on warrants charging him with Murder in the First Degree, a Class A Felony, and Arson in the First Degree, a Class B Felony.

At last report, Rodriguez, Jr. was being held in a Utah jail awaiting extradition back to Sioux County. Bond in the case has been set at $1-million, according to Warburton.

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