A Collegiate Sentencing Tribunal in Paraguarí has convicted a police officer and a civilian for their participation in a robbery that resulted in the death of 51-year-old Swiss citizen Reto Schraner. The crime occurred on August 1, 2023, in the Ypaú company, in the Escobar district.
39-year-old police inspector Roberto Isaac Chaparro Martínez was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while 35-year-old Ricardo Javier Esquivel Pereira received a 9-year prison sentence. The tribunal, composed of judges Antonio Benítez, Fabiola Quintero, and Pedro Nazer, concluded that both were part of a criminal organization and acted as accomplices in the incident.
The Public Prosecutor's Office, represented by prosecutors Eladio Cohene, Irene Rolón, and Mercedes Vera, had requested a 29-year prison sentence for each and is considering appealing the ruling, deeming it insufficient. The prosecution argues that while the tribunal recognized the defendants' participation, it reduced the sentences by citing a deficient investigation and is forwarding the case to the State's General Prosecutor's Office.
Two other suspects believed to be part of the gang, Cándido Ramón Alliende (59) and Ángel Diosnel Aranda (40), remain at large. A third individual linked to the group, Carmelo Alcides Benítez Reyes (36), died after being shot during an assault on a butcher shop in Mbuyapey.
According to the investigation, the criminals arrived at Schraner's residence in a white Chevrolet pickup truck. He was shot and killed when he went outside to investigate noises. The thieves also killed three pitbull dogs, broke into the house, and fled after stealing firearms, cash, and other valuables.