Trinidad bomber pleads guilty to attempted murder, faces 35 years in prison
TRINIDAD, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Trinidad man accused of creating makeshift bombs and injuring two individuals now faces up to 35-years in prison after pleading guilty to a single attempted murder charge.
Investigators say Jonathon Armijo, 28, was able to buy all the materials he needed for the two bombs at a nearby Walmart.
On February 8, 20-year-old Diego Hurtado found a small wooden box with a note on top of it when walking near the Trinidad Apartments on North Avenue. On the note it read “Sissy Mom + Dad’s rings! DO NOT LOSE! See you at the wedding!!”. When Hurtado opened the box, court records say a device exploded. The 20-year old lost most of his fingers on his left hand, and a projectile entered into his eyeball.
Investigators were able to identify Armijo and arrest him after one officer spotted him disposing of trash at around the time of the explosion on February 8th. Police looked through nearby trash and found several items like latex gloves and medical gauze, along with a receipt with Armijo's name on it.
Police followed up on the receipt and tracked down the original purchase at Walmart. Agents learned that Armijo and a woman bought 15 CO2 cartridges, at least four wooden containers, and plastic weld on Feb. 6.
Investigators learned of a separate explosion from February 5th. According to court records, an individual by the name of Ron Garcia found a box in front of his camper trailer parked in the parking lot of the Trinidad Walmart. Garcia told investigators the box exploded when he attempted to open it, and metal pieces were lodged in his eyebrow.
Police charged Armijo's significant other, Leah Armijo, with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of possession of an explosive weapon. Leah Armijo plead not guilty back in October. Her trial is currently set to begin in April.
According to the plea agreement signed between the defendant and the 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Jonathon Armijo pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder. Meanwhile, five other charges were dismissed. These include a second attempted first degree murder charge, two assault with a deadly weapon charges, and two possession of explosives charges.
In the plea agreement, District Attorney Henry Solano recommends a sentence in prison capping at 35 years.
According to court records, Armijo was awaiting trial for a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals that occurred in early 2020. Police noted that he had a history of cruelty to animals, along with setting "booby traps" that were rigged to kill or wound animals. In the plea agreement, the animal cruelty case was dropped as well as a separate burglary case.
Armijo’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 2, 2022.
