William Sotelo, the driver of the SUV used in the 2006 gang shooting that killed 24-year-old Crystal Theobald in Riverside, California, fled to Mexico shortly after the killing, lived there for a decade, and was arrested in May 2016 and extradited to the United States the next day. In January 2020, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with gang and firearm enhancements and was sentenced to 22 years in state prison.1San Bernardino Sun. Final Defendant in Myspace Slaying Case in Riverside Enters Guilty Plea He is currently incarcerated at Centinela State Prison.
His Role in the 2006 Shooting
Sotelo was 17 years old and a member of the Varrio 5150 gang on February 24, 2006, when he was behind the wheel of a white Ford Expedition on the 6600 block of Geranium Place in the Arlanza neighborhood of Riverside. Fellow gang member Julio “Lil Huero” Heredia stepped out of the SUV and opened fire on a two-door Honda carrying Crystal Theobald, her boyfriend Juan Patlan, and her brother Justin.2Esquire. Why Did You Kill Me Crystal Theobald True Story Crystal was struck in the back of the head and died two days later. The shooting was a case of mistaken identity; the gang believed the occupants of the Honda were affiliated with a rival gang, MD-17, and none of them had any gang ties.3Press-Enterprise. Netflix Documentary Highlights Story of Riverside Mother Who Helped Find Those Involved in Daughters Killing
The MySpace Chats That Made Him Run
Crystal’s mother, Belinda Lane, distrusted the police response and started her own investigation online. She and her 14-year-old niece created fake MySpace profiles designed to attract 5150 gang members. One profile, under the name “Angel,” even used a photo of Crystal herself.4San Bernardino Sun. 22-Year Sentence Ends Riverside Myspace Murder Case
Sotelo, who used the moniker “Jokes,” spent hours chatting with Lane without knowing who she was. She drew out enough information for police to bring him in for a voluntary interview, where he made statements that helped identify Heredia as the shooter. But Lane grew impatient and at one point confronted him directly, asking, “Why did you kill me?” Once Sotelo realized he had been talking to the victim’s mother and that investigators were closing in, he disappeared.5Oxygen. Why William Sotelo Fled After Myspace Chat With Chrystal Theobalds Mom
Ten Years in Mexico
Sotelo fled to Mexico, where he lived with his wife and four children for nearly a decade. He kept using social media during that time, which kept him loosely connected to people Lane was still watching. In 2014, Lane received a Facebook tip that Sotelo was in Mexico and passed it to detectives, who worked with the FBI and Mexican authorities to track him.3Press-Enterprise. Netflix Documentary Highlights Story of Riverside Mother Who Helped Find Those Involved in Daughters Killing Mexican state police arrested him in central Mexico on May 6, 2016, and he was extradited to the United States the next day.6Press-Enterprise. Last Suspect in 2006 Riverside Shooting Caught Last Year in Mexico Ordered to Stand Trial
The Plea Deal and 22-Year Sentence
Because he was 17 at the time of the shooting but charged as an adult, Sotelo initially faced first-degree murder.7Akron Beacon Journal. Police Mom Helped Capture Murder On January 13, 2020, he appeared in Riverside County Superior Court before Judge John D. Molloy and pleaded guilty to a single count of voluntary manslaughter. He also admitted the crime was committed on behalf of a criminal street gang and that a participant was armed with a firearm. In exchange, the murder charge was dismissed.1San Bernardino Sun. Final Defendant in Myspace Slaying Case in Riverside Enters Guilty Plea
Ten days later, on January 23, 2020, Molloy sentenced him to 22 years in state prison, with credit for roughly four and a quarter years already served. His sentencing closed out the 14-year prosecution of the case.8Mercury News. 22-Year Sentence Ends Riverside Myspace Murder Case
Where He Is Now
Sotelo is serving his sentence at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, California. With the credit for time served applied at sentencing, he has roughly 18 more years to serve.9Screen Rant. William Sotelo Prison Updates Crystal Theobald Netflix Documentary