Ridge man indicted for murder of ex-girlfriend
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on June 18 that James Quininchetta, 40, of Ridge, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, and related charges, in connection with the fatal shooting of his former girlfriend Rebecca Roth, 33, of Moriches.
“What was, at most, a minor financial dispute escalated to a senseless act of violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office will seek justice for Rebecca Roth and her family.”
According to the investigation, on June 6, 2025, at around 12:30 a.m., Quininchetta allegedly traveled by rideshare service to Roth’s residence located in the Heatherwood Apartment Complex in Moriches to try to collect money the victim allegedly owed him. When he approached, she allegedly refused to pay him back. Quininchetta then allegedly fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at Roth seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle and fled the scene. A forensic examination would later reveal that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso. After the shooting, the defendant is alleged to have discarded the weapon and ammunition before returning to his residence via rideshare service.
When Suffolk County Police responded to the scene, they recovered the alleged murder weapon, which was found abandoned near a pickup truck in an adjacent parking lot.
The department’s K-9 unit also located a gray fanny pack containing ammunition in a wooded area near the complex exit. Further scene investigation recovered ammunition packaging and spent shell casings.
On June 7, 2025, shortly after midnight, Quininchetta voluntarily surrendered at the Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct in Shirley.
Justice Mazzei has ordered that Quininchetta be remanded during the pendency of the case. Quininchetta is due back in court on July 30, 2025, and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by George Duncan, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric S. Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Matthew Sagistano, James Hughes, and Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad.
