LANCASTER, PA – Carlos Montalvo-Rivera, 55, formerly residing on the 500 block of Dauphin Street, has been recently sentenced to life in prison, in addition to 20 years. This verdict came on Wednesday for his heinous crimes committed in 2010, which involved setting fire to his own home, subsequently leading to the death of his wife.
Following a three-week trial that concluded on April 6, 2023, a jury found Montalvo-Rivera guilty of first-degree murder, arson, risking catastrophe, and three counts of attempted criminal homicide.
Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker imposed the mandatory life sentence for first-degree homicide plus an additional 20 to 40 years. Montalvo-Rivera also owes $116,975.28 in restitution.
Assistant District Attorneys Christine Wilson, Jennifer Ponessa, and former Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Nathan Nickel were instrumental in the nearly nine-year investigation that led to charges filed in 2019.
