BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 23 years in prison after he pled guilty to shooting another man four times in a drive-by shooting last year.
Mario Torres-Rios, 19, pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted capital murder and first-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, both Class Y felonies. He pleaded guilty under an agreement attorney William James reached with A.J. Anglin, deputy prosecutor.
Torres-Rios was arrested May 18.
Anglin told Judge David Clinger that Torres-Rios shot Jose Quiroz four times.
Torres-Rios and James Carranza, 21, purchased a gram of methamphetamine from Freddy Medina for $100, Anglin said. Quiroz was present during the drug transaction, according to Anglin.
Torres-Rios and Carranza later discovered they got shortchanged on the methamphetamine. Torres-Rios went back and got the $100 from Medina, according to Anglin.
Torres-Rios and Carranza later returned to Medina's home on North Third Street. Torres-Rios shot Quiroz four times as Quiroz approached the car holding a baseball bat, Anglin said. Carranza then drove away, Anglin said.
Clinger asked Torres-Rios if what Anglin read to the court was true and Torres-Rios answered yes.
Rogers police received a report of gunshots in the area of North Third and West Persimmon streets at 12:14 a.m. May 18. Police later received a call from Mercy Medical Center about a man there with gunshot wounds.
Quiroz was shot twice in the abdomen, once in the chest and once in the arm, Anglin said.
Quiroz told police he was walking toward the car when someone stuck a gun out of the vehicle window and shot him. Carranza later was identified as the driver and owner of the car, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Carranza told police he was driving when Torres-Rios shot from the passenger's side window. Police later found a Glock .40-caliber pistol used in the shooting.
Anglin told Clinger that Rogers police were in favor of the plea agreement. Anglin said he has contacted with Quiroz since the crime and he had to take under consideration Quiroz is now on probation with a felony conviction.
"He is a reluctant witness," Anglin said of Quiroz.
Torres-Rios didn't have a prior criminal record as an adult, Anglin said.
Torres-Rios received 23 years in prison each for the attempted capital murder and unlawful firing of the gun from the vehicle. The two sentences will be served consecutively.
Torres-Rios must abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for 1o years after his release from prison. He received credit for the 349 days he spent in the Benton County Jail awaiting trial. Torres-Rios must pay $420 in court costs and $20,000 in restitution.
Quiroz's medical bills haven't been paid, so the will be paid to the hospital, Anglin said.
Carranza was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the crime in October.
NW News on 05/02/2014