James Ninete Leon Guerrero, Murder of United States Correctional Officer, California 2014

Feds Secure Conviction in Heinous Murder of US Correctional Officer

ATWATER, California - In a chilling case that has left law enforcement officials reeling, a federal inmate has pleaded guilty to the murder of a United States correctional officer. James Ninete Leon Guerrero, 48, of Guam, was convicted of murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence.

According to court documents, Guerrero aided and abetted co-defendant Jose Cabrera Sablan in the stabbing death of Officer Jose Rivera on June 20, 2008. As Officer Rivera was conducting his daily count in the United States Penitentiary in Atwater, California, Sablan attacked him with an eight-inch homemade shank.

Officer Rivera tried to flee, but he was knocked backwards by Sablan and tackled by Guerrero. Guerrero held Officer Rivera down as Sablan stabbed him with the shank more than 20 times. Officer Rivera was 22 years old at the time of his death and was a United States Navy veteran.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Prisons and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Bonnie Hannan of the Criminal Division's Capital Case Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Duce Rice of the Eastern District of California.

Guerrero faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for May 30, 2014, in the Eastern District of California.

Sablan's case is set for trial on April 6, 2015. He is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In a statement, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner for the Eastern District of California commended the work of law enforcement officials in securing this conviction.

As we continue to investigate and prosecute crimes committed behind bars, we must never forget the sacrifice of our fallen heroes like Officer Jose Rivera. This conviction brings a measure of justice to his loved ones and serves as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The victim's family has released a statement expressing their gratitude for the guilty plea and the opportunity to see justice served.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/federal-inmate-pleads-guilty-murder-united-states-correctional-officer