A 19-year-old St. George man has been sentenced to one year of home confinement and three years of probation following the accidental shooting death of his teenage friend last winter.
They received the sentence in 5th District Court after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree felony manslaughter, along with weapons and drug possession charges.
The December Incident
The fatal shooting occurred in December when St. George police officers responded to an emergency call at an apartment on East 1100 South. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located 17-year-old Jason Phillipe Quiroz suffering from a single gunshot wound. Quiroz later succumbed to his injuries.
According to court documents, Robles told investigators he inadvertently discharged the weapon while attempting to take out a loaded ammunition magazine. The single round fired from the handgun struck Quiroz.
Police notes indicated that Robles demonstrated clear familiarity with the firearm’s operation and disassembly methods. He informed investigators that he obtained the weapon from an acquaintance and suspected it had been stolen.
Two other juveniles present during the shooting initially fled the scene with the firearm, hiding it nearby. Authorities later executed a search warrant, recovering the handgun alongside a THC vape cartridge.
Legal Proceedings and Reduced Charges
They originally faced severe penalties, including a first-degree felony charge for illegal discharge of a firearm, second-degree felonies for manslaughter and firearm theft, a third-degree felony for weapon possession by a restricted person, and misdemeanor drug possession.
On April 8, they entered into a negotiated plea agreement. Under the terms of the deal:
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The primary manslaughter charge was reduced to a third-degree felony.
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The firearm discharge and theft charges were dismissed.
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Prosecutors agreed to waive any recommendations for an active prison sentence.
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Provisions were made allowing them to petition for a future reduction in the severity of his conviction upon successful completion of his probation terms.
Sentencing Terms and Confinement Mandates
During the July 1 sentencing hearing, the judge handed down a statutory zero-to-five-year prison term for the felonies and a 180-day jail term for the misdemeanor. However, the court suspended the incarceration requirements in favor of stricter supervised community placement.
They must adhere to the following court-mandated conditions over the next three years:
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Home Confinement: For the first 12 months, he is restricted to his residence. He is only permitted to leave for employment, educational classes, religious services, medical treatment, probation appointments, or specific events approved by the victim’s family.
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Community Service: He must complete 200 hours of unpaid community service.
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Medical Screening: The court ordered him to undergo comprehensive substance abuse and mental health evaluations, with a mandate to comply with all subsequent treatment recommendations.
