Sheriff's Office Makes Arrest In 7-Year-Old Homicide

LAKE PLACID - Two Pinetta men were arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of Sergio Morales on Feb. 19, 2001, according to a Highlands County Sheriff's press release.

Tirso Marin-Median, now 48, was arrested on May 24, in Madison County on traffic charges.
On May 28, Juan Tirso Marin, now 26, was arrested bringing closure to this 7-year-old homicide.

On Feb. 19, 2001 sheriff's investigators were called to 303 Highlands Blvd., in Lake Placid, on a report of a stabbing.

The victim Sergio Morales was found inside the home with multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Highlands County Emergency Medical personnel.

Witnesses reported that Morales had been arguing with his two roomates Marin-Median and Marin, and told detectives that the men had stabbed the victim with a knife, the press release stated.

The men are father and son and both drove from the scene before law enforcement got there. Detectives learned the men were migrant workers with no known permanent address. Warrants were issued for their arrests.

According to the news release, following Marin-Median's arrest detectives and deputies with the Madison County Sheriff's Office worked with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.
Their efforts led to the arrest of Marin.

The men remained in Madison County on Friday morning awaiting extradition to Highlands County, a central records spokeswoman said.