- Mauro Juan Soto was sentenced to at least 31 years to life in prison for aggravated murder and other charges.
- Judge Cristina Ortega saw Soto’s lack of remorse and his criminal history as aggravating factors.
- Garcia’s family expressed their grief at anger toward Soto for the January 2023 drive-by shooting.
OGDEN — A 23-year-old with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to at least three decades in prison Friday for the random killing of Juan “JJ” Garcia Jr., shot at a red light during rush hour on Jan. 17, 2023.
A jury found Mauro Juan Soto guilty in February of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and nine counts of felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony. Soto also pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony.
The big question at sentencing Friday was whether Judge Cristina Ortega would give the man life in prison without the possibility of parole, or lesser sentences…