Jesus Chagolla-Arreaga, whom prosecutors said participated in a shooting incident in January 2013 in Shenandoah, could be headed to prison after changing his mind Monday about going to trial in Schuylkill County Court.
Chagolla-Arreaga, 23, of Hazleton, pleaded no contest to two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person and one each of conspiracy and possessing instrument of crime. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of carrying a firearm without a license.
Judge John E. Domalakes accepted the defendant's plea and ordered preparation of a presentence investigation, but did not immediately schedule sentencing.
Domalakes had been scheduled to preside over Chagolla-Arreaga's jury trial, which was to have been held Monday.
By pleading no contest, Chagolla-Arreaga did not admit committing the crimes, but offered no defense to them, acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and agreed to be sentenced as if he had pleaded or been found guilty.
Shenandoah police allege Chagolla-Arreaga and Keshon L. Canyon fired shots about 11:20 p.m. Jan. 14 at East Centre and Bower streets in the borough. Police said they found five .40-caliber shell casings at the scene and later discovered a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun at Canyon's residence.
Canyon, 22, of Shenandoah, failed to appear on Jan. 24 for a pretrial conference in his case. President Judge William E. Baldwin issued a bench warrant for Canyon on March 10, and his case is currently inactive. Defendant: Jesus Chagolla-Arreaga
Age: 23
Residence: Hazleton
Plea: No contest to two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and one each of conspiracy and possessing instrument of crime