A 42-year-old Vancouver man was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison for his role in the beating and robbery of an older man in December 2017.
Pedro Hernandez Jr. pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to first-degree robbery and second-degree assault as part of a plea deal. He originally faced additional charges, including burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, identity theft and first-degree assault, court records show.
His conviction counts as a most serious offense or “strike” offense. Three strikes can result in a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Hernandez, along with Adrian Diaz Aguilar, 22, Jessica R. Tellez, 35, and Vincent R. Trevino, 23, are all believed to have been involved in the Dec. 29, 2017, beating of Douglas Hodgson, then 63.
Court records state that Hodgson was beaten into unconsciousness with metal pipes, and his wallet, containing debit cards, and a firearm were stolen. He suffered multiple rib, spine and facial fractures, deep head lacerations and brain bleeding.
Tellez told detectives that for several years, Hodgson had provided her with assistance, such as money, and that she went to his place that day to do laundry. Hernandez told investigators it was Tellez’s idea to burglarize Hodgson’s residence, according to court documents, and that he, Trevino and Aguilar were supposed to meet her there.
According to a statement of guilt, filed with his sentencing documents, Hernandez admitted to stealing Hodgson’s wallet and intentionally assaulting him. Hernandez was ordered to pay $3,067 in restitution to Hodgson, although court records indicate Hernandez is indigent.
Tellez pleaded guilty in May 2018 to first-degree burglary and second-degree identity theft, and was sentenced to 34 months, according to court records. Aguilar has a change of plea hearing set for Wednesday.
Unrelated homicide
Trevino was found dead a couple of miles away from Hodgson’s home, just hours after the assault. He died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner, and his death was ruled a homicide.
In July 2018, Devin D. Schultz-Morrison, 23, who was already in custody at the Clark County Jail on unrelated charges, was arrested in connection with Trevino’s death. Schultz-Morrison’s murder trial is set to begin April 13.
Deputy Prosecutor Kristine Foerster said investigators found no connection between the robbery and murder cases. When detectives attempted to interview Schultz-Morrison about Trevino’s death, he asked for an attorney.
Source: https://www.columbian.com
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