A third man has struck a plea agreement for his role in a home invasion-style robbery that resulted in the shooting death of a Fort Lewis College student last year in Durango.
Kuauhtleko Garcia, 22, faces 18 to 32 years in prison – the same as one of his co-defendants – after signing a plea agreement Wednesday with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. June 30 in District Court in La Plata County.
Garcia, of Scottsdale, Arizona, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, felony burglary and felony robbery.
He is one of four men arrested in connection with the crime, which resulted in the death of Samuel Xarius Gordon, 20.
The incident occurred about 3:45 a.m. May 24, 2016, at 253 Jenkins Ranch Road, in the SkyRidge subdivision in Durango.
According to the plea agreement, Garcia entered the home with the intent to steal marijuana, used a handgun he owned to subdue roommates and during the course of the robbery, one of the participants shot Gordon.
It is almost the same plea agreement given to one of his co-defendants, Alvin Flores. The plea agreements have not revealed who pulled the trigger, but according to testimony, Garcia and Flores are the robbers who went upstairs where Gordon was shot.
Two other co-defendants – Daniel Wright and Kodi “Maz” E. Kuauhtli – appear to have stayed downstairs or outside.
As a result, Wright received a more favorable plea agreement, in which he faced 10 to 24 years, and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Kuauhtli has pleaded not guilty and is headed toward trial.
During previous court hearings, Gordon’s mom, Jeanette Phillips, has opposed the plea agreements, saying they should be reserved for defendants who tell the truth about what happened, and so far, that’s not what’s happening.
She could not be reached Friday for comment on the latest plea agreement.
All four men were charged with first-degree murder and were facing life in prison if found guilty. Under state law, it doesn’t necessarily matter who fired the gun; all participants are complicit and can be held liable in the shooting.
shane@durangoherald.com
