COEUR D’ALENE, ID – Cruz Flechita Ramon Soto, 34, of Plummer, Idaho, will spend the next 15 years of his life behind bars after receiving a harsh sentence for a brazen shooting on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced yesterday that Soto was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill didn’t stop there, ordering Soto to pay restitution, the amount of which will be determined at a later date.
The attack unfolded in the early hours of November 12, 2015. The victim, identified as Native American, was asleep in the living room of a relative’s home when Soto, also Native American, arrived. What began as a 20-minute conversation quickly turned violent. Soto allegedly opened fire on the defenseless victim, striking him in the chest, back, and neck. The brutality of the attack left the victim fighting for his life.
Emergency responders rushed the victim to Kootenai Hospital, where he was initially stabilized. However, the severity of his injuries necessitated a transfer to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for further treatment. Miraculously, the victim survived and was able to positively identify Soto as his attacker to investigators.
Soto pleaded guilty on July 29, 2016, admitting to the aggravated assault and the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. The location of the shooting – within the boundaries of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation – brought federal jurisdiction to the case, escalating the penalties Soto faced.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, with the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police taking the lead, supported by the Benewah County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their combined efforts ensured Soto was brought to justice for this calculated act of violence. The lengthy sentence sends a clear message: gun violence will not be tolerated on tribal lands, or anywhere else.
While the victim continues to recover from his devastating injuries, the community on the Coeur d’Alene reservation can breathe a little easier knowing that Cruz Flechita Ramon Soto is off the streets. The restitution order aims to provide some financial relief to the victim, but the emotional and physical scars of this attack will undoubtedly remain for years to come. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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