CR2015-103569-001:
Today, a Judge sentenced Apolinar Altamirano (06/1985) to 38.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by supervised probation upon his release for the 2015 killing of convenience store employee Grant Ronneback.
On a cold morning in January 2015, Altamirano walked into the store where 21-year-old Grant Ronneback was working and callously shot him before taking pack of cigarettes from behind the register. On May 5, 2022, after seven years of criminal proceedings, Altamirano pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder, a class one dangerous felony, Armed Robbery, a class two non-dangerous felony, Burglary in the First Degree, a class three dangerous felony, and Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement Vehicle, a class five non-dangerous felony. Today, he was sentenced for these crimes in front of friends and family of Grant, who spoke in court of their loss over this senseless and callous crime.
“Grant’s murder is a senseless crime that rocked this community. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones, who to this day, feel the pain and sadness of losing their first-born son, brother, nephew, and grandson,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Prosecutors poured their hearts and expertise in making sure that justice was served in this case. I extend my appreciation to them for their fierce advocacy to ensure Grant Ronneback’s killer was held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Altamirano previously pled guilty to three counts of weapons charges stemming from the incident and was sentenced to six years for those crimes in 2017.
CR2021-135031-001:
Retta Cruse (2/1986) was also sentenced in a Maricopa County Courtroom to two natural life prison sentences for the killing her two young children in 2021. Cruse pleaded guilty to two counts of First-Degree Murder. Under the plea agreement, Cruse will serve two consecutive natural life sentences in the Arizona Department of Corrections, ensuring she will not be eligible for release from prison in her lifetime. In September of 2021, Cruse killed her two children with prescription drugs.
“The very person who was supposed to care for these victims was the one who callously caused their deaths. This office is committed to ensuring justice for the most vulnerable in society and the killing of two young children at the hands of their mother is an unspeakable act,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.
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