Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Four Carjackings And Murder |
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U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Puerto Rico
24 August 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN JUAN, P.R. – U.S. District Court Senior Judge Daniel R. Domínguez sentenced Carmelo Velázquez-Aponte a.k.a. “Boty,” to two terms of life in prison for one carjacking and murder of Richardson Mieses-Pimentel, and a consecutive 130-year imprisonment term for the other three carjacking counts, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (carjacking), and possession of a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.
On July 19, 2016, Velázquez-Aponte was found guilty by a jury of four counts of carjacking, one including the murder of Richardson Mieses-Pimentel, four counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm.
During the 14-day trial, the government presented pictures and witness testimony that narrated the criminal incidents of carjacking and robbery that the defendant perpetrated against innocent victims. According to the testimony, on June 18, 2011, the defendant stole the licensed firearm belonging to Richardson Mieses-Pimental and his vehicle, and then executed him. After that event, Velázquez-Aponte committed other carjackings. During his attempt to escape his arrest on June 20, 2011, he also stole a police officer’s gun and shot a Police officer. The defendant also stole a police cruiser and engaged in two other shootouts with police officers, before he was arrested. The defendant fired the stolen weapons at the police officers.
“I hope that these life sentences help the victims to find closure and continue the healing process,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the prosecution team, the FBI, the Carolina Municipal Police and the Puerto Rico Police Department for their excellent work in bringing this defendant to justice. We will continue to work diligently to prosecute violent criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda.