Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Teen sentenced to life in prison gets parole

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled a juvenile sentenced to consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole could be paroled after serving 20 years.

Juan M. Castillo was convicted of murder in Washoe County at the age of 15 and received consecutive terms of life without parole in 1996.

He was released from prison today and was turned over to immigration officials for deportation to El Salvador.

The Legislature in 2015 amended the law to permit parole consideration for juveniles after 20 years in prison on life terms without parole.

Washoe County District Attorney Christopher Hicks filed a petition for a writ to block the parole, arguing the 20-year parole applies only to a first offense and that Castillo must still serve his second term of life without parole.

The Supreme Court, in a decision dated Thursday and released today, said the intent of the Legislature was “to allow for accelerated parole eligibility on consecutive sentences for a juvenile offender.”

Castillo, a gang member, fired shots at rival gang members at a Reno park, but one of the bullets hit and killed 12-year-old Jessica Arenas, according to court records.

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