Waukegan man pleads guilty to killing man after argument
A Waukegan man will be sentenced to 30 to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to killing a 53-year-old man in March 2014.
Miquel Leyva, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in front of Judge Daniel Shanes for gunning down Adrian Villarreal at Hickory and Center streets in Waukegan.
Had the case gone to trial and Leyva been found guilty, he could have been sentenced to 45 to 75 years in prison. As part of the plea deal, attorneys agreed to set the minimum prison sentence to 30 years, but cap the prison time at 45 years when he is sentenced July 14.
Leyva, of the 1700 block of Golf Road, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for shooting Villarreal in the head after an argument March 15, 2014, authorities said.
Villarreal was pronounced dead after police found him in his vehicle unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Leyva was arrested 10 days later.
Authorities said Leyva believed Villarreal had threatened to harm his son after a previous confrontation over money owed.
The second murder count was dropped as part of the plea deal, prosecutors said.
Authorities said Leyva cooperated with police during the investigation, had no prior felony charges on his record, and the gun used in the killing was turned over to police.
Defense attorney Greg Nikitas did not comment on the case after the plea deal was accepted.