A man was sentenced Wednesday to 23 years to life in prison for his killing his former girlfriend, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

James Quininchetta pleaded guilty in January to killing Rebecca Roth and was arrested the day after the fatal encounter.

Prosecutors say the 41-year-old went to former girlfriend Roth’s Moriches apartment complex June 6, 2025 to collect $1,500 allegedly owed to him. He fired seven shots at Roth while she was in her parked vehicle after she refused to pay. 

Roth’s mother told News 12 in June of 2025 that she was on her way to work when she found her daughter dead inside her vehicle. She said Roth had only dated Quininchetta for three months before breaking up with him.

As News 12 previously reported, Quininchetta turned himself into custody the day after the shooting.

Police found a handgun in a nearby parking lot, as well as spent shell casings and ammunition packaging.