In a case that highlights the devastating consequences of personal choices and disregard for human life, two women who robbed and murdered a man in his Las Vegas Strip hotel room will spend at least a decade behind bars. Erika Covington, 21, and Arionna Taylor, 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the May 2023 killing of 25-year-old Bryan Altamirano-Solano, a Nicaraguan asylum seeker seeking a better life in the United States.

On Thursday, Judge Tierra Jones sentenced the pair to a prison term ranging from 10 to 25 years as part of their plea agreement. While the maximum term may extend to 25 years, both women could be eligible for parole as early as 2033, factoring in time already served.

The crime, described as cold and calculated, unfolded at Caesars Palace in the early hours of May 2023. Surveillance footage captured Altamirano-Solano walking with the women to his hotel room shortly after 2:30 a.m. Within 15 minutes, the same cameras showed the two women running out of the room with his belongings. A cartridge casing left behind matched Taylor’s weapon, but authorities have not specified which woman fired the fatal shot.

Prosecutors revealed the brutal sequence of events: Altamirano-Solano was shot, robbed, and left for dead. His body was discovered by housekeeping staff more than eight hours later. Detectives also found explicit videos on the victim’s phone involving the two women, further linking them to the crime.

The victim’s grieving father, Victor Altamirano, made an emotional plea during the sentencing. “It wasn’t enough just taking his belongings; they had to kill him. I ask for justice for my son,” he said. His mother, speaking remotely, echoed his anguish: “Why? Why my son?”

Covington expressed remorse in court, offering condolences to the victim’s family. “I deeply, genuinely apologize for the grief and the pain that’s been brought to your family,” she said. Taylor, however, chose to remain silent during the proceedings.

Nevada law allows multiple individuals to be charged with murder if they act in concert during the crime. In this case, the callousness of their actions—fleeing the scene and failing to call for help—underscored the gravity of their offense.

This case is a stark reminder of the importance of personal accountability and the consequences of criminal behavior. It also raises questions about the safety of tourists in cities like Las Vegas, where moments of leisure can tragically intersect with senseless violence.

Altamirano-Solano’s family will forever carry the weight of their loss, but Thursday’s sentencing offers a measure of justice. The women, now felons, will spend years reflecting on their choices behind bars.

Source: 8 News Now 

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