Maylia Julieanna Paige Sotelo appears in Brown County court May 24, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Maylia Sotelo was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for supplying the drugs which killed 18-year-old Jack McDonough in an overdose.
Sotelo – who is now 17, but was 15 when charges were first filed – was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide and two other drug charges. McDonough died in Dec. 2022.
Sotelo was also placed on extended supervision for 10 years by Judge Beau Liegeois. Additionally, she must pay restitution of $15,154.81.
Before the sentence was issued, McDonough’s mother, Carrie Harrison, addressed the court, describing the void in her life created by her only son’s death.
I do believe that you, Maylia, are responsible for Jack’s death. However, I also believe that you are deserving of forgiveness – and I do forgive you, Maylia. I forgive you because I know Jack would forgive you. I also do not believe that you are 100% responsible for Jack’s death. There are other individuals who should be held accountable in this horror, including the task force who purchased fentanyl from you and allowed you to continue selling this poison for four days, during which time my son passed away from one of your counterfeit pills.
Sotelo apologized for her actions, saying she will work to improve herself to be a productive member of society.
“I could not come up here today without expressing how remorseful I am. I’m not speaking here today out of self pity, nor I am asking for sympathy, because I am not the one who deserves it. I am speaking today to assure you I am doing everything and anything to change, not only for me and my family, but for our community,” Sotelo said.
In Wisconsin, those ages 10 and older charged with certain homicide counts are prosecuted in adult court. The defense can ask for the case to be moved to juvenile court — known as a “reverse waiver” — but such requests are not automatically granted. Judge Liegeois denied Sotelo’s request, keeping her in adult court.
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