A man who spent nearly 16 years on the run after a 2008 killing in Las Vegas has been sentenced to prison following his guilty plea earlier this year.
On Wednesday, Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced 35-year-old Jonathan Romero to 20 to 50 years in prison for the killing of 18-year-old David Manriquez.
Romero pleaded guilty in February to a first-degree murder charge connected to the shooting, which prosecutors described as an execution-style killing inside a home near Lamb Boulevard and Washington Avenue.
Court records show Romero received 586 days credit for time already served.
Killing
According to Clark County grand jury transcripts obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators, the shooting happened on July 18, 2008.
Authorities said Romero went to the home of his former girlfriend after the relationship had already ended months earlier. Inside the home, Romero found Manriquez, who was the woman’s new boyfriend, hiding in a closet.
Prosecutors said Romero then shot Manriquez execution-style.
The case remained unresolved for years after Romero fled the United States following the shooting.
Testimony
During earlier court proceedings, Romero’s former girlfriend described the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.
She testified that Romero arrived at her home unexpectedly and forced his way inside by pushing the door open before running upstairs.
According to her testimony, Romero searched through rooms in the home before entering the master bedroom, where Manriquez was hiding in a closet.
“He looks into the room on the left and then he goes into the master bedroom and David was hiding, David Manriquez was hiding in the closet,” she testified in court documents. “He tries to stop him and then he shot him in the back of his head.”
She also described a struggle between the two men that caused a glass door to break during the confrontation.
Investigators said Romero fired multiple shots at Manriquez, including at least one to the back of the head, before leaving the scene.
Fugitive
After the killing, Romero fled the country and remained outside the United States for approximately 16 years, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
Authorities later located and arrested Romero in Mexico.
Police did not release extensive details regarding the investigation that led to his capture, but his arrest brought renewed attention to a homicide case that had remained unresolved for more than a decade.
Long-term fugitive cases often involve cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and international authorities. In cases where suspects leave the country, extradition and legal coordination can take years before proceedings resume in U.S. courts.
Sentencing
Romero appeared in Clark County District Court on Wednesday for sentencing after entering his guilty plea earlier this year.
Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced him to 20 to 50 years in prison on the first-degree murder conviction.
Under Nevada law, individuals convicted of first-degree murder can face lengthy prison terms depending on the circumstances of the case and plea agreements reached between prosecutors and defense attorneys.
Romero was originally scheduled to be sentenced on March 26. However, court officials later postponed the hearing because of a technical issue connected to the proceedings.
The sentencing officially closes a criminal case that began with the 2008 shooting and continued for years while authorities searched for Romero.
Investigation
The case highlights how homicide investigations can remain active for many years, even after a suspect leaves the country.
Law enforcement agencies often continue gathering evidence and monitoring leads while coordinating with federal and international partners to locate fugitives.
In this case, prosecutors relied on witness testimony, court records, and evidence collected at the scene to move forward once Romero was returned to Nevada.
The guilty plea earlier this year avoided a trial and led directly to Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.
For the victim’s family, the sentencing marked the conclusion of a case that remained unresolved for more than a decade after the killing.
FAQs
Who was sentenced in the 2008 murder case?
Jonathan Romero was sentenced.
How long was Romero on the run?
He was on the run for about 16 years.
Who was the victim in the case?
The victim was David Manriquez.
Where was Romero arrested?
Police arrested him in Mexico.
What sentence did Romero receive?
He received 20 to 50 years in prison.
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