On Tuesday, a man from Connecticut was handed a 50-year prison sentence for the murder of a teenager in 2022, as announced by authorities.
Frankie DeJesus, a 28-year-old resident of Waterbury, received the sentence for the fatal shooting of 18-year-old William Beltran, also from Waterbury, on July 20, 2022, according to a press release from State’s Attorney John Doyle Jr.
“The tragedy of this crime remains the same, whether it occurred in Waterbury or New Haven,” stated Doyle. “Mr. DeJesus, who had prior convictions for illegal firearm possession, took a life with a weapon he was not allowed to have, resulting in a 50-year sentence.”
Beltran was shot and killed outside a deli on Willow Street in Waterbury around midnight on the night of the incident. Police arrived at the scene after reports of gunfire and found Beltran deceased.
DeJesus was apprehended five days after the murder and has remained in custody since then. Authorities reported that DeJesus was “dressed entirely in black” when he pursued Beltran, though they did not disclose a motive to the public.
Investigators linked DeJesus to the crime using surveillance footage, cellphone data, and ballistic evidence. He was found guilty by a jury on September 30.
In considering the lengthy sentence, Judge Maureen Keegan took into account DeJesus’ previous convictions for assault, drug possession and weapons possession.
