Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced that Jonathan Mata, 18, of Prescott, pleaded guilty to aiding a criminal street gang, aggravated assault and tampering with physical evidence on April 8, 2024. Mata's guilty plea follows the guilty plea of Enrique Castillo Barrios, 17, of Prescott Valley, on March 4, 2024. Castillo Barrios pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault, endangerment, unlawful discharge of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor.
County Attorney Dennis McGrain thanked Yavapai County Deputy Attorney Kristen Godbehere Shortley for her thorough preparation of both cases and commended the Prescott Police Department for their excellent investigation of the crimes. “As Yavapai County grows, gangs are redoubled their efforts to gain a foothold here. I have created a Gang Prosecution Unit in 2023 to focus on gang-related crimes. With this unit and the long sentences my gang prosecutors will be seeking, I want to send a clear message to gangs and those who may be considering joining a gang: you are not welcome in Yavapai County. If you commit a gang crime here, you will be in prison for a very long time,” said County Attorney McGrain.
A Prescott Police investigation revealed that Mata was the leader of the gang “RMS,” which was attempting to establish a base in Prescott. On June 30, 2023, Mata encountered an elderly homeless man sleeping near Granite Creek and severely struck the man in the head, causing multiple fractures and hearing loss. Mata recorded the beating and posted the video of the vicious assault to the Internet.
Jonathan Mata
The investigation also revealed that on April 29, 2023, another suspected gang member, Castillo-Barrios, took a gun to the carnival at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. During an altercation with a classmate, Castillo-Barrios pulled a gun from his waistband and fired multiple rounds into the ground at his classmates. Castillo-Barrios then fled the scene and continued to fire recklessly backwards at his classmates, shooting himself in the process. Castillo-Barrios later denied being a gang member and denied possessing or firing the gun. Castillo-Barrios eventually admitted to firing the gun when confronted by detectives with witness statements and other evidence.
Enrique Castillo Barrios
Mata's sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. before Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Debra Phelan. Mata will receive a 10-year sentence. Castillo-Barrios' sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. before Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Krista Carman. Castillo-Barrios will receive a sentence of five to 38 years in prison.
