Adult Time for Adult Crime: Rudolfo Sandoval

Cully Stimson /

On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences.

Defendant: Rudolfo Sandoval (17)
Victim: Ryan Briner
Crime: First degree murder
Crime date: May 5, 2004 in Ventura, California

Summary
Rudolfo Sandoval shot and killed a random victim with a shotgun.

Facts
Rudolfo Sandoval was a member of the Ventura Avenue Gangsters. The gang is Ventura’s most prominent Hispanic criminal street gang, and its members commit a variety of crimes within the community, from assaults to drug-related offenses to murder. (more…)