Jury Convicted Roanoke Man of Murder
A Roanoke jury found 34-year-old Juan Welton guilty of second-degree murder and firearm use.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Financial Crime
A jury has convicted Juan Welton for his role in the 2024 shooting death of Rafael Perez-Naranjo in Roanoke. The victim was found unresponsive at the Affordable Corporate Suites and was pronounced dead shortly after.
Why it matters
The conviction follows an investigation into a fatal confrontation that occurred after the defendant reportedly learned of a meeting between the victim and a prostitute. Authorities secured the verdict after witness testimony and the recovery of a buried firearm.
A jury found the 34-year-old defendant guilty of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm. The court has scheduled the formal sentencing for January 12, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.
The players
Juan Welton
The 34-year-old defendant was found guilty of second-degree murder.
Rafael Perez-Naranjo
The victim died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the heart.
Hohanna Lee Felts
The co-defendant testified that Welton shot the victim and located the weapon used in the crime.
The details
Police responded to the Affordable Corporate Suites on Lanford St. NW at 6:50 p.m. on December 4, 2024, to find Rafael Perez-Naranjo deceased from a gunshot wound to the heart. Co-defendant Hohanna Lee Felts testified that Welton fired the fatal shot and revealed that the weapon had been hidden in the woods near the apartment complex.
Timeline
December 4, 2024: Rafael Perez-Naranjo died of a gunshot wound.
2025: Welton and Felts were indicted on murder charges.
October 8, 2026: Jury found Welton guilty.
January 12, 2027: Welton sentencing scheduled at 10:30 a.m.
Legal Context
This case follows established Virginia criminal procedures regarding the prosecution of firearm-related homicide charges. The legal process mirrors standard state protocols for adjudicating violent felonies through jury trials and subsequent sentencing hearings.
The conclusion of this trial brings closure to a violent incident that occurred within a local residential suite complex. Residents and business owners in the Lanford St. area can expect the legal matter to conclude following the sentencing hearing in early 2027.
The takeaway
The successful identification and prosecution of this case relied heavily on forensic evidence and witness cooperation. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to local authorities to support the ongoing safety of the community.
What happens next
The court has scheduled the formal sentencing for Juan Welton to occur on January 12, 2027, at 10:30 a.m.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Roanoke section.
