Man pleads guilty in armed robbery case
Although probation is possible under the terms of his plea agreement, the Yuma man who committed an armed robbery inside a Walmart store four months ago could still be sentenced to prison.
On Wednesday, during a change of plea hearing in Yuma County Superior Court, 26-year-old Abraham Castillo, who appeared out of custody with his attorney Michael Donovan, pleaded guilty to an amended count of attempted armed robbery.
Castillo, who posted a $10,000 bond, had been charged with one count of armed robbery, but in return for his plea of guilty it was dismissed.
In explaining the terms of his plea agreement to him, Superior Court Judge Brandon Kinsey told Castillo that the offense of attempted armed robbery carries a prison sentence ranging from two years to eight years and nine months, with the presumptive sentence being three and a half years. “Probation is available,” Kinsey said. Judge Kinsey added that the plea offer also stipulates that Castillo make full restitution in an amount not to exceed $20,000, and his contingent on him not having any prior felony convictions.
Before accepting the plea Judge Kinsey asked prosecutor Tom Varela, of the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, to provide the court with a factual basis of the case, which he did.
Varela informed the court that at about 8:15 p.m. on May 28, Castillo entered the Walmart located at 2501 S. Avenue B. Once inside, he walked up to the Money Center inside the store, told the clerk he had a gun and demanded all the money.
“The clerk did not see a gun, but later in the investigation a BB gun was located,” Varela replied in response to a question from the judge. “He did not brandish a gun, but he lifted his shirt to simulate he had one in the area of his waistband.”
Afterward Varela said Castillo fled the store with several thousand dollars and left the area in an unknown vehicle. He was located later in the 2300 block of 8th Avenue and arrested.
When asked by Judge Kinsey if the factual basis was correct, he replied that it was. When asked to enter a plea to the offense Castillo said, “guilty.”
Sentencing has been set for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 29.