LEAGUE CITY – A Galveston County jury has sentenced Rigoberto Argueta-Sontay, a native of Guatemala, to 35 years in prison for murder stemming from a 2025 stabbing in League City.
The sentencing was handed down Thursday, June 11, 2026, following a jury trial in the 56th Judicial District Court, presided over by Judge Lonnie Cox.
Incident Details
The case originated in January 2025 when officers with the League City Police Department responded to a reported stabbing in the 2800 block of Brookmist Lane. Upon arrival, officers found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds, including injuries to the torso, face, abdomen, and neck. The victim, identified as Alberto Guzman Brito, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
Authorities detained Argueta-Sontay at the scene and began processing evidence. Investigators later interviewed eight other men who lived in the residence, who reported hearing screams coming from the bedroom shared by Argueta-Sontay and the victim. Two witnesses told investigators they saw Argueta-Sontay stabbing Guzman Brito during the incident.
Argueta-Sontay later admitted during questioning that he had cut the victim’s throat, according to testimony presented in court. He was indicted for murder by a Galveston County grand jury in April 2025.
Trial Proceedings
The trial began Monday, June 8, 2026, with Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Rinehart leading the prosecution.
Jurors heard testimony from responding officers with the League City Police Department, including Sgt. Jason Kifer and Officer Jose Chipres, who described the initial response to the scene. Sgt. Kifer testified he heard the victim’s agonal breathing shortly after arrival.
Prosecutors also presented crime scene and autopsy photographs, along with testimony from Dr. Erin Barnhart of the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office. She detailed multiple fatal injuries, including wounds that damaged internal organs and severed major structures in the neck.
Jurors additionally reviewed a recorded interview between Argueta-Sontay and investigators, during which he provided varying accounts of the incident. Detective Turcios served as interpreter during portions of the interview.
Argueta-Sontay testified in his own defense and acknowledged entering the United States illegally from Guatemala. He offered a separate account of the incident, claiming he acted in self-defense after being attacked with a knife.
Verdict and Sentencing
After approximately one hour of deliberation, the jury found Argueta-Sontay guilty of murder and rejected the self-defense claim.
During the punishment phase, the defense requested a sudden passion finding, which would have reduced the charge to a second-degree felony, and asked the jury to consider a 20-year sentence. Prosecutors argued for a stronger punishment, citing the severity of the crime and inconsistencies in the defendant’s statements.
The jury ultimately sentenced Argueta-Sontay to 35 years in prison.
Acknowledgments
The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office extended appreciation to jurors for their service, as well as to the League City Police Department and the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office for their work on the investigation and prosecution.
Case details: Cause Nos. 25-CR-0277, 56th Judicial District Court, Honorable Lonnie Cox presiding.
Correction: An earlier version stated the case originated in July of 2025, based off a press release submitted to us. The District Attorney’s Office informed us the correct month was January. The article has been updated to reflect the correct month.
