CHAUVIN — A Chauvin man arrested for the 2023 death of his wife has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges. 

Joseph Fogle, 41, on Thursday pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges connected to the killing of his wife, 44-year-old Sonia Escalante.

When deputies arrived at the scene on June 28, 2023, they found Escalante unresponsive with extensive trauma to her head and face; she was pronounced dead at the scene.

When questioned, Fogle denied any involvement with the death of his wife, saying he left the home for a short time and traveled to a nearby McDonald's, but detectives found no sign of forced entry into their Gonzales home. 

A search of Fogle's vehicle, 23rd JDC officials said, revealed blood stains on the interior of the vehicle, which was later determined to be Escalante's blood. He was ultimately arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

Fogle was initially arrested on second-degree murder charges.