WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Alleged beatings, torture, and murder are just some of the gruesome crimes police and court documents say happened inside a home along Carlisle Street in South Wilkes-Barre.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sangudolce says Nicole Cuevas was killed in the home sometime in April of 2023. Her body was found in the basement at the home on Carlisle Street earlier in February.
Cuevas was allegedly murdered after the suspects claimed she sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl. According to court documents, just three months after her death, Wilkes-Barre Police responded to the neighborhood after a man claimed he was held captive in the basement of the home and assaulted.
The man told police he was tortured by the people who lived there because he inappropriately touched an 8-year-old girl.
When police arrived, they said Jason Race would not allow them to enter the home and threatened officers with his dog.
He was later charged with obstruction and intimidation in a child abuse case for his failure to report the alleged assault.
The Luzerne County District Attorney acknowledged the man's claims of being held captive and its link to Cuevas' death investigation earlier this week during a news conference.
"So that is part of the ongoing investigation. I will say that case is related and it did go on at this residence," said Sangudolce.
A month later, in August of 2023, Debra Fox, the former owner of the Carlisle Street home, filed a protection from abuse against Race, claiming he starved, assaulted, and shot her with pellet guns.
Sanguedolce confirmed that Fox's body was found in a wooded area near the Cross Valley expressway late last month. An investigation into her death is still ongoing. The district attorney does not believe Fox had any role in Cuevas' death.
Another suspect in Cuevas' murder, William Wolfe, also had previous run-ins with law enforcement.
Wolfe is a registered sex offender. According to reports published in the Times Leader back in 1992, the now 54-year-old was found guilty in Luzerne County court after sexually assaulting two young girls.
Wolfe is behind bars again, along with Faith Beamer, Sarai Doyle, Desiree Linnette, and Jason Race. All five face homicide charges.
Police expect to make another arrest in the murder of Nicole Cuevas. That investigation and the one into the death of Debra Fox are still ongoing.