HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced the sentencing of Joseph Sarmiento to a prison term of 20 to 40 years for the murder of Helena Johnson. Sarmiento, from New York, was convicted of third-degree murder, receiving the maximum sentence permissible under the charge.
Sarmiento was found guilty but mentally ill by a Luzerne County judge in February, leading to his sentencing on Thursday. Johnson, a 41-year-old from Massachusetts, was discovered dead at a Hazle Township motel on June 6, 2021, where she had been staying with Sarmiento. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma from a beating.
Attorney General Sunday expressed relief at the verdict. "This defendant’s attempts to avoid accountability for the brutal killing of Miss Johnson ended today with this decades-long prison sentence,” he stated. He also conveyed hope that this sentencing might bring comfort to those mourning Johnson.
A letter from Johnson’s sister, Karen, was among the victim impact statements presented in court. The letter reminisced about Johnson’s joyous personality and the cherished moments they shared, emphasizing how much Johnson will be missed.
The Pennsylvania State Police arrested Sarmiento following the discovery of Johnson’s body at the Red Carpet Inn on North Church Street. According to the investigation, Sarmiento called 911 on June 5, 2021, claiming to have found Johnson deceased in the bathtub. Surveillance footage showed both Sarmiento and Johnson entering the motel room on June 4, 2021, but Sarmiento left alone two hours later. He did not return until about 15 hours later when he called the authorities.
A forensic pathologist reported that Johnson had been struck at least 10 times and showed signs of strangulation. Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo led the prosecution in this case.