SALT LAKE CITY — A suspect connected to the fatal shooting of a man who worked as a cashier at a smoke shop in Salt Lake City was in court for sentencing Wednesday, where he was given credit for time already served and put on zero tolerance probation.
Stephen Chavez, 26, was shot and killed in March 2012 after a fist fight between him and Yelfris Sosa-Hurtado and Vladimir Suarez-Campos outside of CJ’s Smoke Shop in Salt Lake City. Sosa-Hurtado was identified the shooter and was sentenced to life and prison last year.
Suarez-Campos had been identified as the getaway driver, and he has already served about 2.5 years in jail. Wednesday, he was given credit for time served and was placed on zero tolerance probation for six years. Vincent Meister, a deputy Salt Lake County District Attorney, said the man could face prison time if he violates his parole.
“If he doesn’t successfully complete probation he comes before the court again, and during that time there will be a hearing,” he said. “And if he’s found in violation of his probation, he can be looking at a significant time period in the Utah State Prison.”
Meister said the victim’s family agrees with the sentence, and he said the family has said they hope the sentencing helps bring closure.
