Five years after a Las Vegas man died in a tragic shooting, three siblings have taken Alford pleas in connection with his death. Anthony Rivero died on December 8, 2020, outside his mother’s home. Several eyewitnesses, including his mother, Maria Rivero, helped bring Janet Juarez, Juan Juarez, and Christian Juarez to justice. Anthony Rivero and Janet Juarez shared an 8-month-old child at the time of his death. Now, the child’s mother will spend time in prison.
Per Law Info, “An ‘Alford plea’ is named after a U.S. Supreme Court case that allows for sentencing a defendant who maintains their innocence. An Alford-type guilty plea means the defendant decided it would be better to take a known sentence than to take their chances in a criminal trial. At trial, the defendant could face the maximum sentence.”
According to court documents obtained by People, Maria Rivero told police she heard an argument outside her home the day her son died. She claimed she saw “a Hispanic male” trying to get into Anthony Rivero’s car. The mother also told police she saw a woman who wore her hair similarly to Janet Juarez.
Maria Rivero reportedly tried to help her son. “The male suspect kept trying to get into the vehicle,” the arrest warrant states, per People. “Maria yelled out at the suspect, and as he looked up at her, Anthony started to drive away, but as he did, he was shot.”
Tragically, Anthony Rivero became unconscious while driving and lost control of the car. The suspects took off in a white GMC Yukon Denali, which police noted in the arrest warrant belonged to a woman connected to Janet Juarez.
Following Anthony Rivero’s death, police obtained text messages between the victim and Janet Juarez.
Janet Juarez texted Anthony Rivero, “I need my money or Ima pull up my Bullet,” according to People. “Bullet” reportedly referenced her brother.
An hour before the fatal shooting, Janet Juarez texted Anthony Rivero to tell him she was on her way to his home, People reported. Minutes before the shooting, a male left a voicemail that said, “I’m outside your house how you wanna handle this?”
In court, lawyers apologized to the victim’s family. Maria Rivero responded, “How much [does] a life cost? $1,000? I don’t take your apology. I don’t take it. My son’s life cost much more than $1,000. Much more.”
A judge sentenced Janet Juarez to four to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon. She received an additional four to 10 years for deadly weapons enhancement, the news outlet reported. Janet Juarez will serve her sentences consecutively and could be released in as little as eight years.
Juan Juarez received consecutive four- to 10-year sentences for voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit murder. Like his sister, he could leave prison in eight years.
A judge gave Christian Juarez the harshest punishment. He will serve 10 to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder because he fired the shots that killed Anthony Rivero, People noted.
Following Anthony Rivero’s death, Jackeline Rivero created a GoFundMe account for the family. It raised $4,500 of a $10,000 goal.
“I am so sorry for the pain your family is experiencing. Sending love, strength and comfort during this time,” a donor shared on the page.
