Two men who crashed into and killed a Nederland teen while fleeing police after a string of robberies last year pleaded guilty Monday to their respective roles in the crimes
With a jury panel waiting outside the courtroom and prosecutors Ed Shettle and Ashley Chase preparing to try both cases, Cuevas and Fuentes entered the 11th-hour plea agreements.
Each will serve at least 20 years in prison before they are eligible for parole.
Humberto Cuevas Jr., 21, and Romualdo Fuentes, 22, both of Port Arthur, robbed patrons at three Mid-County convenience stores on April 8, 2006, before attempting to outrun Jefferson County deputies responding to reports of the crimes, according to prosecutors and court documents.
Deputies slowed their pursuit as the chase approached a group of motorcyclists near Twin City Highway (Texas 347) and Nederland Avenue, Sheriff Mitch Woods told The Enterprise in April 2006.
But the green 1993 Honda driven by Cuevas ran a red light at the intersection, striking a 2004 Scion driven by 18-year-old Nederland High School graduate Bryan Oliver Turner. Turner died at the scene.
Both men were charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and one count of felony murder.
Cuevas, through an interpreter, pleaded guilty to the felony murder charge and was sentenced to 40 years in prison by 252nd state District Judge Layne Walker. The aggravated robbery charges against him were dismissed.
Fuentes, who pleaded guilty to the three robbery charges, also was sentenced to 40 years. Prosecutors dismissed the felony murder charge against him.
A tall, thin man, Fuentes had a dramatic scar across the top of his skull and walked with a pronounced limp. Court documents indicate Fuentes was severely injured and suffered brain damage in the wreck that killed Turner. A psychologist found him competent to stand trial.
County jail records indicate Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has requested a hold on both men, reflecting questions about their immigration status, prosecutors said.
Neither man has a significant criminal history.
The first robbery that night was in the parking lot of the E-Z Market in the 100 block of U.S. 69 at about 10:30 p.m. Cuevas then drove the pair to Leo's Food Mart at U.S. 69 and Spurlock Road where Fuentes again robbed a person in the parking lot, according to court documents.
The final robbery before deputies gave chase was at the Crossroads convenience store in the 2500 block of Twin City Highway at Spurlock Road, where prosecutors said Fuentes stabbed someone in the parking lot with the box cutter.
In fleeing the police, Cuevas sped north on southbound Twin City Highway before tearing through Sheffield trailer park and across residential yards, finally returning to Twin City Highway. The chase lasted less than five minutes.
2007-10-02 08:09:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
This one is a sore spot for me, as it hits home.
They run because they don't have insurance...they don't have legal tags...they don't have a license to drive...the car may be stolen...they are illegal and don't want to be deported or caught...they have already been deported once...they are using a fake identity...they have a warrant...they are on parole...they are drunk...they are high....they have drugs in the car...they have drugs on their person...or they just don't want to be held responsible.
Sometimes all of the above.
Does that surprise you? It shouldn't. They don't want to be held responsible for anything they do. They feel above our laws. That's why they are here illegally rather than going through the paperwork. They are vermin.
2007-10-02 08:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by Lori K 7 · 7⤊ 3⤋
They are lower class, loser in their country who came here illegally just for the money. They don't have any moral or respect for the law.
2007-10-02 21:33:50 · answer #2 · answered by gannoway 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't value human life
They only value not being deported and making their under the table tax free labor cash while their wives/partners pop out more kids for welfare
They live quite nicely - getting arrested for an accident would throw a wrench in all their plans
Lori K below said it perfectly
Now times that by 12,000,000+
Any questions
2007-10-02 15:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by scottanthonydavis 4 · 6⤊ 3⤋
If I had the time and patience you do, I'd copy and paste every story of "citizens" who do the same thing. Does someone being undocumented or documented justify running from the law? NO. That's your answer. They ran because they committed a crime, not necessarily because you believe them to be illegal.
2007-10-02 15:16:05 · answer #4 · answered by xcelix 4 · 3⤊ 5⤋
They should have shoot the tires out.
I like the first answer making excuses for felons.
2007-10-02 15:15:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Obviously they don't want to get caught!
2007-10-02 15:15:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
because then the can get away with the crimes,
2007-10-02 15:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by rich2481 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
1 because they are illegal
2 because the have no insurance and more than likely no drivers license
2007-10-02 15:13:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 3⤋
its good they got caught and they deserve worst than they got ...but you say they always run.... do you have facts to back that up because they dont all run.
scottanthony--- you really believe that???? my husband is illegal and we have a child....and we can afford him without welfare...and as for running when ever my husband gets pulled over...he has insurance and the vehicle is registared....he doesnt run...and he goes to court and pays his fines...and he does get taxes takin out of his check legally...its called itins
2007-10-02 15:14:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
They don't care>>>
2007-10-02 15:21:54 · answer #10 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋