GALVESTON — An Arizona man pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday and was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the April 2025 killing of 74-year-old Galveston resident Richard Thomas.
According to the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Issac Elijah Garcia-Soto traveled from Arizona to his father’s home in League City in April 2025 after being kicked out of his mother’s home. Garcia-Soto later traveled to Galveston with his girlfriend to see the ocean.
Prosecutors said Garcia-Soto met Thomas in Galveston and exchanged phone numbers and location information with him. Thomas later dropped Garcia-Soto off at a Kroger on Seawall Boulevard.
According to investigators, Garcia-Soto then went to the Beachfront Palms Hotel, where he attempted to steal a vehicle. Prosecutors said he approached a woman getting into her vehicle, asked her for a ride and then threatened her with scissors before forcing her to drive him to a location where Thomas was waiting.
The woman later saw Garcia-Soto get into a Chevrolet Cruze driven by Thomas, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
On April 3, 2025, a maintenance worker discovered Thomas’ body inside an apartment on Seawall Boulevard. Galveston police began investigating the death and obtained Ring camera footage from a neighboring residence that showed Garcia-Soto entering the apartment behind Thomas.
Thomas relied on a cane to walk, according to prosecutors.
During an interview with detectives, Garcia-Soto admitted that he went to Thomas’ apartment intending to steal his vehicle so he could return to Arizona, prosecutors said. When Thomas refused to give him the vehicle keys, Garcia-Soto stabbed him in the neck with the scissors he was carrying, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Garcia-Soto then used a kitchen knife to stab Thomas multiple times in the neck.
Investigators found Garcia-Soto’s DNA inside the apartment, including on a light switch, deadbolt lock and a hand towel that prosecutors said was used in an attempt to clean the scene.
Before leaving the apartment, Garcia-Soto stole a handgun, Thomas’ wallet and phone, and Thomas’ Chevrolet Cruze, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Galveston police used Flock camera data to track the vehicle and cell tower information to track Thomas’ phone. Garcia-Soto was subsequently arrested while still in possession of Thomas’ belongings, prosecutors said.
DNA testing also showed Thomas’ blood on clothing Garcia-Soto was wearing when he was arrested, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Garcia-Soto admitted to detectives that he committed the killing and later said he was attempting to steal Thomas’ vehicle while under the influence of methamphetamine.
A Galveston County grand jury indicted Garcia-Soto on a murder charge in June 2025. In September 2025, he was reindicted on a capital murder charge in anticipation of trial.
Garcia-Soto ultimately pleaded guilty to murder and agreed to a life sentence with the possibility of parole. Under the sentence, he must serve 30 years before becoming eligible to apply for parole.
The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office credited the Galveston Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for their work on the case.
