Man Sentenced for Role in Fatal 2016 Shooting
Martin Antonio Cruz received a prison sentence for manslaughter after testifying against a co-defendant.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Violence
Martin Antonio Cruz was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison for his role in the 2016 death of 16-year-old Paris Gustin. The sentencing in Salt Lake City follows a plea agreement where Cruz testified against the alleged shooter, Fortunato Nato Villagrana.
Why it matters
The sentence marks the conclusion of a long-standing legal process that relied on Cruz's cooperation to secure the extradition of Villagrana from Mexico. Prosecutors dropped additional firearm charges against Cruz in exchange for his testimony regarding the fatal incident.
Martin Antonio Cruz, age 31, received a one to 15-year sentence after pleading guilty on August 3. The state dismissed three counts of discharging a firearm as part of the agreement.
The players
Martin Antonio Cruz
He is a 31-year-old man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his involvement in the 2016 shooting death of a teenager.
Paris Gustin
The 16-year-old victim was killed during a 2016 shooting incident involving a vehicle in Salt Lake City.
Fortunato Nato Villagrana
He is the co-defendant accused of using an AK-47 to shoot at teenagers and is scheduled for a jury trial in early 2027.
The details
Cruz drove the vehicle while Villagrana leaned out of a window to fire an AK-47 at a car carrying teenagers, an attack triggered after an egg was thrown at their vehicle. Villagrana had returned home to retrieve the weapon before the shooting occurred.
Timeline
Paris Gustin was killed in 2016.
Martin Antonio Cruz was charged in 2017.
Cruz waived rights to a speedy trial in 2018.
Fortunato Nato Villagrana was extradited from Mexico in 2022.
Cruz was sentenced to prison on September 21, 2026.
Legal Context
The sentencing follows a pattern set by the 2022 extradition of Fortunato Nato Villagrana from Mexico, which allowed local prosecutors to move forward with the trial. This case reflects the ongoing challenges in regional judicial proceedings involving cross-border coordination.
The resolution of this case closes a long-standing investigation that has occupied local legal resources for nearly a decade. Residents are not subject to new safety advisories, as the primary suspects are currently in custody or awaiting trial.
The takeaway
The case highlights how plea agreements are utilized by prosecutors to secure cooperation against co-defendants in complex violent crimes. This legal outcome provides closure to the family of the victim after years of waiting for the court process to conclude.
What happens next
Fortunato Nato Villagrana is scheduled to appear for a jury trial in early 2027.
Further reading
For more information on local criminal proceedings, visit Violence.
