Men Plead Guilty in February 2017 Robbery/Death (Valles, Valdez)

NEWS RELEASE –

February 21, 2018

Contact: Ken Lane, 720-913-9025

TWO MEN PLEAD GUILTY IN FEBRUARY 2017 ROBBERY & SHOOTING DEATH NEAR RTD RAIL STATION

Both men charged in connection with the robbery and shooting death of another man near a west Denver light rail station in February 2017 have pleaded guilty.

Nathan Valdez (dob: 01-07-1998) pleaded guilty last Friday to added counts of murder in the second degree (F2) and second degree kidnapping (F4), and to one of the original counts of aggravated robbery-gun (F3). Valdez faces a stipulated prison sentence of 58 years.  A jury trial was scheduled to begin February 26.

Ever Valles (dob: 05-07-1997) pleaded guilty last November to one of the original counts of aggravated robbery (F3) and an added count of accessory to murder (F4).  As part of the plea, Valles was expected to testify against co-defendant Valdez.  Valles faces a stipulated prison sentence of 16-32 years.

Valles and Valdez robbed the victim, 32-year-old Tim Cruz, at gunpoint at approximately 1:00 a.m. on February 7, 2017, near the RTD Light Rail Station at 12^th and Sheridan.  Mr. Cruz was subsequently shot and killed.

Valles and Valdez are scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 5C.

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