Arizona Man Sentenced to Life for Stabbing 74-Year-Old Galveston Man to Death While Stealing His Car

GALVESTON, Texas — An Arizona man has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting he stabbed a 74-year-old Galveston resident to death with scissors and a kitchen knife while attempting to steal the victim’s car to return to Arizona.

Isaac Garcia Garcia-Soto pleaded guilty to murder October 6, 2026, in connection with the April 2, 2025, killing of Richard Thomas, whose body was discovered inside his Seawall Boulevard apartment the following day.

Under the plea agreement, Garcia-Soto received a life sentence with the possibility of parole. He must serve at least 30 years in prison before becoming eligible to apply for parole.

Suspect Traveled From Arizona to Texas Before Killing

According to the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Garcia-Soto had traveled from his mother’s home in Arizona to his father’s residence in League City with his girlfriend after being kicked out of his mother’s house.

He later traveled to Galveston to see the ocean.

While there, Garcia-Soto met a stranger and smoked methamphetamine with him before encountering Thomas.

The two exchanged phone numbers and shared their locations through their cellphones.

Thomas eventually dropped Garcia-Soto off at the Kroger on Seawall Boulevard, where Garcia-Soto began searching for transportation back to Arizona.

Investigators said Garcia-Soto then crossed the street to the Beachfront Palms Hotel and decided to steal a vehicle.

Woman Threatened With Scissors Before Fatal Stabbing

At the hotel, Garcia-Soto approached a woman who was getting into her vehicle and asked her for a ride.

He then pulled out a pair of scissors and threatened her, forcing her to drive him to a location where Thomas was waiting.

The woman later told investigators she saw Garcia-Soto enter a Chevrolet Cruze driven by Thomas.

Surveillance footage from a neighboring Ring camera showed Garcia-Soto following Thomas into his apartment.

Thomas was 74 years old and used a cane to walk.

During a subsequent interview with Galveston police detectives, Garcia-Soto admitted that he decided to steal Thomas’ vehicle once they were inside the apartment.

When Thomas refused to surrender his car keys, Garcia-Soto stabbed him in the neck with the scissors he had been carrying.

He then grabbed a kitchen knife and continued stabbing Thomas in the neck.

Investigators said Garcia-Soto admitted committing the killing to steal the vehicle while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Killer Stole Victim’s Car, Gun, Wallet and Phone

Before leaving the apartment, Garcia-Soto stole Thomas’ handgun, wallet, cellphone and Chevrolet Cruze.

Ring camera footage showed him fleeing the residence shortly after entering.

On April 3, a maintenance worker discovered Thomas’ bloodied body on the floor of his apartment.

Galveston police launched a homicide investigation and used Flock license plate recognition cameras to track the stolen vehicle.

Detectives also used cellphone tower data to trace Thomas’ phone.

The information helped investigators locate and apprehend Garcia-Soto, who was still in possession of the victim’s belongings.

DNA Evidence Linked Suspect to Crime Scene

Investigators recovered DNA evidence linking Garcia-Soto to Thomas’ apartment.

His DNA was found on a light switch, a deadbolt lock and a hand towel that investigators said had been used in an attempt to clean the crime scene.

Forensic testing also identified Thomas’ blood on the clothing Garcia-Soto was wearing when he was arrested.

During interviews with detectives, Garcia-Soto admitted killing Thomas.

Capital Murder Charge Reduced Through Plea Agreement

A Galveston County grand jury initially indicted Garcia-Soto for murder in June 2025.

In September 2025, prosecutors obtained a new indictment charging him with capital murder in anticipation of trial.

Garcia-Soto ultimately pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for a life sentence that preserved the possibility of parole.

He will not be eligible to apply for parole until he has served 30 years.

The case was handled in the 405th Judicial District Court, with Judge Leslie Yates presiding.

The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office credited the Galveston Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for their investigative and forensic work.