A 19-year-old previously linked to a deadly National City shooting has been sentenced to 270 days of felony probation for assault and firearm offenses, as authorities continue investigating his potential involvement in the 2024 killing of a 12-year-old boy.
Carlos Maldonado received his sentence Thursday in a downtown San Diego courtroom after pleading guilty to assaulting a 14-year-old student at Lincoln High School last October and negligently discharging a firearm in February.
During the hearing, Maldonado expressed remorse, telling the court,
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about my actions… I’ve accepted that my actions brought me to where I am today.”
However, Deputy District Attorney Kerry Conway questioned Maldonado’s sincerity, saying she had “serious concerns that he is manipulating the court” based on his prior behavior. Conway had sought a tougher sentence, noting,
“I told the court I would’ve argued for state prison; however, the court indicated 270 days, and I thought at the very least, that’s what should be imposed.”
The judge emphasized that the sentence was based solely on the current charges, not on any ongoing investigations.
“Whether you’re under investigation for other crimes or not, that’s not something I can take into consideration today,” the judge said.
Maldonado was arrested in March in connection with the shooting death of 12-year-old Elijah Smith during a house party in National City last November but was later released. That case remains under active investigation.
Thursday’s sentencing applies only to the assault and gun charges. Authorities have not ruled out further action related to the fatal shooting.
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