(Golden, CO – August 26, 2019) Alicia Elena Valdez, DOB: 5-25-98, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 16 years for the murder of 27-year-old Andrew Jenicek in Edgewater. She was sentenced on August 23, 2019.
Valdez is the third of three codefendants to be convicted and sentenced in this case. Following trial in July, a jury found her guilty of First Degree Felony Murder, Attempted Aggravated Robbery, and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery. She was acquitted of counts related to a shooting that occurred in Arvada, following the murder of Mr. Jenicek, and an aggravated robbery in Lakewood the following day.
On April 5, 2018 Mr. Jenicek was picking up barbeque for dinner when he was approached in the parking lot at 20th and Sheridan Blvd. by Caleb Joseph Vigil, DOB: 1-29-99, one of the three codefendants. Vigil attempted to rob Mr. Jenicek and shot him in the chest. The two other codefendants, Devon Drizzt Howard, DOB: 7-29-97, and Alicia Valdez waited in the car. Valdez owned the car and Howard was driving. After shooting Mr. Jenicek, Vigil got back in the car and Howard ran over Mr. Jenicek as they made their getaway. Mr. Jenicek died at the scene.
Just days prior to the murder of Mr. Jenicek, the three acquired a gun and planned to use it to make money.
Howard and Vigil were tried together and both convicted of numerous counts including First Degree Murder. Howard was sentenced to life in prison plus 279 years. He had two prior felony convictions and was sentenced as a habitual criminal. Vigil was sentenced to life in prison plus 118 years. He had one prior felony conviction.
