Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives have arrested 18-year-old Moses Ojeda for the murder of his 81-year-old roommate, Patrick Benway, on Blue Bird Avenue in Bartow on Sunday, May 18.
Benway was living in a group home managed by “ET Home Care, LLC,” along with three other roommates. Ojeda had moved into the home just one day prior to the incident, after being released from a local hospital. During questioning, Ojeda told detectives he had no problems with Benway and described him as a good person.
Despite this, Ojeda confessed to entering Benway’s bedroom where the victim was lying in bed and stabbing him multiple times. According to Ojeda, Benway did not physically resist the attack but asked, “Why would you want to do this to me?” before succumbing to his injuries. Ojeda stated he has “no regrets” and wanted to kill Benway because he was “already dying.”
Following the attack, Ojeda told deputies that he cleaned the knife and returned it to the kitchen. He then removed his blood-stained clothing and placed it in his laundry basket. Detectives reported that all evidence gathered was consistent with Ojeda’s statements regarding the stabbing.
Ojeda has no prior criminal record. He has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.
“This was a senseless and tragic act of violence,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our detectives, forensic investigators, and Bartow Police Department officers worked diligently to take Ojeda into custody and gather evidence to hold him accountable.”
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