On March 13, 2012, Hugo Jacobo-Vasquez, in case number FECR247795, Pedro Espericueta-Jacobo, FECR248066 and Ivan R. Amaya, FECR247795, appeared in Polk County District Court and plead guilty to their role in the death of Paris Smith, who was killed on July 2, 2011.

Hugo Jacobo-Vasquez, Pedro Espericueta-Jacobo, and Ivan R. Amaya plead guilty to Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury – Count I and Criminal Gang Participation. These three defendants were involved in a fight with Paris Smith. During that fight, a fourth co-defendant, Hector Giovanni Linares Nunez, stabbed Paris Smith, killing him.

Hugo Vasquez, Pedro Espericueta-Jacobo, and Ivan R. Amaya plead guilty to Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury and Criminal Gang Participation because they were involved in the fight, but did not stab Paris Smith. Additionally, all four defendants were involved with the Norteno Street Gang and the fight was instigated because the defendants were in the gang.

Hugo Jacobo-Vasquez and Ivan R. Amaya asked for immediate sentencing following their pleas of guilty. They were sentenced to 10 years in prison on the Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury charge and five years in prison on the Criminal Gang Participation charge. The charges were run concurrently for a total of 10 years.

The defendant Pedro Espericueta-Jacobo requested a delay before sentencing. His sentencing is set for April 19, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.