— A Roanoke City jury has found Juan Quontell Welton, 34, guilty of second-degree murde...

facebook.com | Oct 9, 2026 11:46 AM

— A Roanoke City jury has found Juan Quontell Welton, 34, guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of murder in connection with a December 2024 killing.

According to the Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the verdict followed a two-day trial held October 6–7, 2026, in Roanoke City Circuit Court. Welton is scheduled to be sentenced January 12, 2027.

The case dates back to December 4, 2024, when Roanoke police officers responded at approximately 6:50 p.m. to a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound at Affordable Corporate Suites in the 4800 block of Lanford Street NW.

Officers found Rafael Perez-Naranjo unresponsive outside a room with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at 7:01 p.m.

An autopsy determined that a bullet entered Perez-Naranjo’s shoulder and passed through his heart, causing his death.

Investigators collected physical evidence, obtained search warrants, reviewed hours of surveillance footage and examined phone records. Their investigation identified Welton and Johanna Lee Felts as suspects. Both were indicted on murder charges in January 2025.

Prosecutors said Felts later cooperated with investigators and helped authorities locate the pistol used in the killing. The weapon had been buried in the woods near the apartment she shared with Welton.

During the trial, Felts testified that she was working as a prostitute in December 2024 and had arranged to meet Perez-Naranjo. According to her testimony, Welton became angry about the meeting, accompanied her to meet Perez-Naranjo, confronted him and shot him.

Prosecutors said Welton then fled with Felts to their apartment, where the two buried the firearm.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office credited the Roanoke Police Department, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and civilian witnesses for their roles in the investigation and prosecution.

Welton is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on January 12, 2027.

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Source note: Star News TV · Oct 9, 2026 11:46 AM.

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— A Roanoke City jury has found Juan Quontell Welton, 34, guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of murder in connection with a December 2024 killing. According to the Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the verdict followed a two-day trial held October 6–7, 2026, in Roanoke City Circuit Court. Welton is scheduled to be sentenced January 12, 2027. The case dates back to December 4, 2024, when Roanoke police officers responded at approximately 6:50 p.m. to a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound at Affordable Corporate Suites in the 4800 block of Lanford Street NW. Officers found Rafael Perez-Naranjo unresponsive outside a room with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at 7:01 p.m. An autopsy determined that a bullet entered Perez-Naranjo’s shoulder and passed through his heart, causing his death. Investigators collected physical evidence, obtained search warrants, reviewed hours of surveillance footage and examined phone records. Their investigation identified Welton and Johanna Lee Felts as suspects. Both were indicted on murder charges in January 2025. Prosecutors said Felts later cooperated with investigators and helped authorities locate the pistol used in the killing. The weapon had been buried in the woods near the apartment she shared with Welton. During the trial, Felts testified that she was working as a prostitute in December 2024 and had arranged to meet Perez-Naranjo. According to her testimony, Welton became angry about the meeting, accompanied her to meet Perez-Naranjo, confronted him and shot him. Prosecutors said Welton then fled with Felts to their apartment, where the two buried the firearm. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office credited the Roanoke Police Department, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and civilian witnesses for their roles in the investigation and prosecution. Welton is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on January 12, 2027.

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