Man who set Mundelein firebombing in motion gets 18 years
Manuel Flores demanded discipline within his gang, and when Raphael Juarez started making waves, Flores wanted something done about it.
What was supposed to be punishment for Juarez instead killed Juarez's younger brother, paralyzed his mother and left his sister with scars she will carry for the rest of her life.
Flores, 27, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Monday after he admitted issuing the “smash on sight” order that led two Mundelein brothers to throw a firebomb at Juarez's house.
Jorge Juarez, 12, was trapped on the second floor by the flames that raced through the house on the 200 block of Prospect Avenue, and he died of smoke inhalation.
His sister, Virginia Juarez, 14, suffered severe burns to her back, arms and neck. The children's mother, Virginia Estrada, 44, was paralyzed when she jumped from a second-floor window and struck an air-conditioning unit on the ground.
Assistant State's Attorney Dan Kleinhubert said Flores, of Round Lake, met on May 8, 2009, with several members of the gang, including Elver Hernandez, to issue his demand for Raphael Juarez's punishment.
Kleinhubert conceded Flores never told anyone to burn down the Juarez house or do anything involving fire.
Nonetheless, Elver Hernandez recruited his younger brother Edwin Hernandez, and they tossed a firebomb onto the front porch of the Juarez house during the early-morning hours of May 9, 2009.
All three were charged with murder in connection with gang activity and arson, and both Hernandez brothers were found guilty of the murder charge after they admitted there was enough evidence to convict them.
Elver Hernandez, 22, was sentenced to 84 years in prison Aug. 15, and Edwin Hernandez, 19, was sentenced to 80 years Nov. 22.
Flores pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, and Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes told Flores he agreed with the plea negotiation between Kleinhubert and defense attorney David Weinstein that led to the admission.
“I understand that, based on the evidence and based on the investigation, you did not tell anyone to set a house on fire or to kill anyone,” Shanes said. “But because of what you did say, the Juarez family will be dealing with it forever, the Hernandez family will be dealing with it forever and you will be in prison for a very long time.”
Both Hernandez brothers turned down offers of reduced sentences in exchange for testifying against Flores.
Murder charges against Flores were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.