Joseph Payne Pabón was sentenced to life in prison on February 19, 2026, by United States District Court Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colón for the carjacking and murder of Eulalia Combas-Sancho in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The crime occurred on January 7, 2020.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a jury found on June 20, 2025, that Joseph Payne Pabón, a 33-year-old homeless man with an extensive criminal history, entered the home of Eulalia Combas Sancho intending to steal her Hyundai Sonata. He encountered the victim in her backyard and struck her on the back of the head with a cement block, causing fatal injuries.
“This life sentence rightly holds the defendant responsible for the pain and suffering he inflicted on his victim and her family,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Anyone who commits cold-blooded crimes of violence in violation of federal law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the Justice Department and this office. I commend the agents and officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the tireless efforts and outstanding work, from the beginning of the investigation of the carjacking and murder of the victim to the sentencing.”
Jason Stankiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Miami Field Division stated: “Yesterday’s life sentence imposed on violent criminal and murderer Joseph Payne-Pabón represents the only just outcome and brings a measure of closure to the victim’s family and loved ones. ATF Puerto Rico remains steadfast in its commitment to investigating violent crime throughout Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands and has a long and distinguished record of bringing dangerous offenders like Payne-Pabón to justice in federal court,” he said. “I commend the dedicated ATF Special Agents and Task Force Officers, including our partners from the Puerto Rico Police Department, as well as the prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office, for their outstanding work over the course of several years. Their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts were instrumental in securing this conviction. In 2025, following extensive trial proceedings, a jury of Payne-Pabon’s peers returned a guilty verdict, leading to yesterday’s sentence and ensuring accountability under the law.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led an investigation with help from local agencies including the Puerto Rico Police Department, Department of Justice, Institute of Forensic Sciences as well as support from citizens who provided information that contributed to securing both conviction and sentencing. The FBI assisted by analyzing phone location data.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeanette Collazo (Chief of Violent Crimes and National Security Section) and César Rivera-Díaz prosecuted this case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico handles federal crimes such as civil rights violations while also enforcing laws through criminal prosecutions across all regions within its jurisdiction. The office offers mechanisms for reporting crimes or fraud to promote public safety within Puerto Rico. W. Stephen Muldrow served as United States Attorney during these proceedings.
