Wilmer Rosales, Murder by Robbery, Florida 2020

Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, Wilmer Rosales, 22, of Plant City, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in controlled substances; conspiring to commit robbery; committing robbery; using a firearm and causing the first-degree murder of Grant Urquhart in furtherance of the drug conspiracy; and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Rosales faces up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set for the gruesome crime.

According to court documents, Rosales and his co-defendant, Joel Sierra, lured Urquhart to Springhead Park, adjacent to an elementary school, in Plant City. Rosales and Sierra claimed they wanted to purchase marijuana from Urquhart, but they in fact planned to rob him. Rosales and other co-conspirators waited in nearby vehicles, armed—Rosales with a 7.62 mm rifle—while Sierra got into Urquhart’s vehicle for the robbery.

Rosales and the other co-conspirators then left the scene. Rosales returned to the scene shortly after the shooting and again fired at Urquhart, who was lying on the ground while others were attempting to help him. Urquhart died from his gunshot wounds.

Prior to the murder, Rosales was previously convicted of possessing methamphetamine and possessing 20 grams or more of marijuana. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natalie Hirt Adams.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

A sentencing date has not yet been set for Rosales, who is being held without bail. Rosales’s co-defendant, Joel Sierra, is scheduled to plead guilty on November 12, 2020.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/plant-city-man-pleads-guilty-murder-park-next-elementary-school