SAN ANTONIO — It was a robbery spree that went on for weeks.
Prosecutors say during the early months of 2024, some teens committed violent acts that impacted a crowd of victims, pulling off armed robberies around San Antonio.
On Monday, one 16-year-old admitted to his role in the attacks.
He told Judge William Cruz Shaw, “I take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did was a choice."
Prosecutors chose to go forward on just a few of the armed robbery cases they developed.
Lifting a hefty stack of folders, the prosecutor told the judge the teen could be facing a much longer time in jail than the 15 years they requested.
A probation officer told the judge this is not the teen’s first appearance in court, having faced an evading arrest charge when he was 15.
“He does have a history of running away. He's got an extensive history of drug use. A lot of drug use!” the officer said.
While the teen has done well when he takes prescribed medications for diagnosed health issues, the officer said since he has been in juvenile detention, he has been making progress.
The prosecutor said this was not a case of a simple mistake.
“Some of the cases have multiple victims in them,” the prosecutor said. “This was a deliberate act repeated over and over and over again.”
The teen’s attorney told the judge, "He understands the gravity of the situation."
The attorney and the teen's family asked for leniency since he has no prior arrests.
"We're asking the court to consider either probation or a much shorter sentence, maybe ten years your honor," the attorney said.
Reviewing the stack of cases and the number of co-defendants, the judge told the teen: “Do you know how many people you scared? You’ve changed people’s lives!”
Shaw said the desire to be high on drugs is not a valid excuse for the violence.
“Those families have kids! They have parents just like you do!” Shaw said. “If someone robbed your mom that would freak you out!”
Shaw handed down a 15 year sentence, saying the punishment should be greater but he said the teen still has a chance for redemption.
“Get your high school diploma. Get a certification. Because you will be released and I may even see you again,” Shaw said. “Get the help you need!”
The judge told the teen if he stays on track he will be eligible for re-evaluation as he serves his sentence.