A jury sentenced 42-year-old Jesus Prado after he pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer.
SAN ANTONIO — A man who opened fire on two San Antonio police officers in 2023 was sentenced Wednesday night to 60 years in prison.
A jury sentenced 42-year-old Jesus Prado after he pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the sentence.
Prado showed little emotion as Judge Boyd read the decision in court. The two officers who were shot were not in the courtroom at the time of sentencing but had been there throughout the sentencing trial.
San Antonio Police Officers Association Vice President Johnny Perez attended the hearing and said the sentence was what officers had hoped for.
“There’s been contention with us with this office, obviously, but the prosecutors did a good job for them,” Perez said. “And they had nothing bad to say about them.”
Investigators said the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute on Oct. 19, 2023. Police said Prado got into a fight with his wife, who wanted to leave him, and began dousing their home with gasoline while threatening to set it on fire with his wife and children inside.
When officers Nicolas Augery and Santiago Vizcarra responded to the home in the Alta Puerta area, they were met with gunfire, investigators said.
Last week, Augery — who recently returned to active duty — testified about the lasting impact the shooting has had on his family, particularly his wife and young child.
“She’s always waiting for that call,” Augery said. “She’s always waiting for that time when some other officer comes to our door and says, ‘I’m sorry your husband is dead.'”
Prado’s defense team argued he had no prior criminal history and had no behavioral issues while in jail awaiting trial. Prosecutors said those factors did not outweigh the seriousness of the crime.
Perez said he hopes the sentence sends a message.
“Hopefully, with this verdict, it will show people, hey, you’re not going to get away with attacking police officers,” he said.
Prado does not face a fine and will receive credit for time served. He has the option to appeal.