The two men that shot and paralyzed a local woman, have been sentenced to 46 years in prison. Juan Sanchez-Ramirez (dob 12/18/88) will be eligible for parole after 16 years, while Juan Lopez-Leyva (dob 10/14/91) will be eligible for parole after 17 years. The Honorable Judge Barry Breslow presided and imposed the sentence.
During sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Reichenberg asked for the maximum sentence authorized by law of 81 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 32 years, for both Sanchez-Ramirez and Lopez-Leyva, due to the extraordinary level of violence of the case and the devastating and life-long impact suffered by the victim. Reichenberg, at one point, told the court that even while incarcerated, the men will have more freedom than the victim currently does due to her injuries. The defendants were previously each charged and convicted of all counts: Attempted Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon, Assault with the Use of a Deadly Weapon, Battery with a Deadly Weapon Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, Burglary While in Possession of a Firearm, Mayhem with Use of a Deadly Weapon, and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
In further support of the request for the maximum sentence for both defendants, Reichenberg also touched on the defendants’ extensive and violent criminal histories. Sanchez-Ramirez has two prior felony convictions: Battery with a Deadly Weapon in 2013, where he served a 4-year prison sentence, and Attempt to Possess a Firearm by a Felon in 2019, where he was sentenced to prison and then upon release violated the terms of his parole, resulting in the withdrawal of his parole. Sanchez-Ramirez was ultimately discharged from prison in this latter case on November 1, 2020 – just two months before the victim was shot in the current case. Additionally, Sanchez-Ramirez has been convicted of one gross misdemeanor and 21 misdemeanor crimes.
Lopez-Leyva similarly has two prior felony convictions: Robbery in 2010 and Burglary in 2012. In both cases, he was sentenced to prison, and when released on parole failed to comply with his terms of release, resulting in revocation of his parole and ultimate dishonorable discharge. Additionally, Lopez-Leyva has two prior gross misdemeanor and 37 prior misdemeanor convictions, many of which are for crimes of violence.
In addition, DDA Reichenberg shared a letter from the victim that she had dictated, saying in part, “They took my life away and theirs should be taken away also. They paralyzed me. I cannot use my arms and legs. I cannot feel anything. I can’t move. I have sat in bed for the past 3 years of my life. I will never be the same. Every single day since they did this to me, I live in constant struggle. My life will never be the same. There is no changing this or coming back from it.” The victim also spoke to the defendants directly during the sentencing, reiterating how they had taken her life away.
