Clark County Superior Court Judge Daniel Stahnke pondered why a 36-year-old man who’s had little trouble following the law took part in an armed robbery with co-defendants much younger than himself before sentencing him to 3 1/2 years in prison.
“But you did it,” Stahnke told Jesus Prado, referring to the man’s part in the incident involving people age 17 to 20.
Earlier in the Friday hearing, Prado pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and possession of methamphetamine.
Vancouver police officers were dispatched about 10 p.m. Oct. 30 to the 13000 block of Northeast Sixth Street. Suspects reportedly brandished a weapon and were seen leaving the area in a white Honda; police pulled the vehicle over several blocks away from the scene, Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said at that time.
Police arrested Prado, Alejandro Paz-Espinoza, 18, Tommy Lee Edwards Davis Jr., 20, and Josiah Christopher Lindsey, 17, on suspicion of first-degree robbery.
According to court records, two men walked up to a man sitting in a car, drew a gun on him and had him exit the vehicle. They forcefully stole some items, and Prado struck the victim in the face.
In court, Prado read from a statement explaining why he was guilty. He said he drove the vehicle that day and was present during the robbery involving a deadly weapon. He said he was also carrying methamphetamine when the robbery occurred.
The assailants went looking for the victim after Lindsey realized he’d been given a fake $20 in exchange for marijuana. They took a gold necklace, earbuds and a Seahawks beanie, Senior Deputy Prosecutor James Smith said.
Smith noted the age difference between Prado and the others involved, too. The prosecutor said Prado’s criminal history was free of felony convictions but does include a 2015 conviction for possession of a dangerous weapon.
Defense attorney Todd Pascoe provided three letters of reference to the court, all apparently stating that his client was a good person who helped people. Stahnke retorted that perhaps the writers did not know Prado all too well, as none mentioned his drug use.
Lindsey previously pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery with firearm enhancements and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in Clark County Juvenile Court. He was committed to a juvenile facility up to his 21st birthday.
Davis pleaded guilty last month in Clark County Superior Court to first-degree robbery with a firearm enhancement. He will be sentenced April 6.
Paz-Espinoza’s case is still pending in Superior Court. His trial is scheduled for March 19.
