Executive Summary
- Abigail Guerrero was sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation.
- Guerrero pleaded no contest to aiding in the armed robbery of her workplace, El Ranchito.
- Co-conspirator Reinaldo Fuentes-Nietzsche was previously sentenced to five years in prison.
- Court documents reveal Guerrero had prior knowledge of the robbery plan and the weapon used.
GREEN BAY, Wis. – A Green Bay woman was sentenced Thursday to one year in jail and five years of probation for her involvement in an armed robbery carried out by her boyfriend at the restaurant where she was employed.
Abigail Guerrero, 31, appeared before Judge Tammy Jo Hock in Brown County court, having previously pleaded no contest to being a party to the crime of armed robbery. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered Guerrero to write a letter of apology to her former employer at El Ranchito on South Webster Avenue. Guerrero declined to address the court prior to the imposition of her sentence.
The robbery occurred on February 17, 2024. According to the criminal complaint, Guerrero’s boyfriend, Reinaldo Fuentes-Nietzsche, entered the establishment displaying a firearm. He reportedly demanded cash from the staff, threatening to shoot if they did not comply. The restaurant owner initially estimated the loss at approximately $20,000, noting that the register had been stocked with funds for check-cashing services. Fuentes-Nietzsche later estimated the stolen amount to be around $13,000.
Police investigators interviewed Guerrero, who was working as a clerk during the incident. The complaint states that she was aware of the plot and admitted that Fuentes-Nietzsche planned to rob the store specifically "when the boss was not there." She informed authorities that her boyfriend frequently visited her at work and monitored the owner’s schedule. Following the heist, Guerrero identified the weapon used and told detectives that Fuentes-Nietzsche used the illicit proceeds to purchase a Mercedes, pay debts, and buy marijuana for resale.
Fuentes-Nietzsche was previously sentenced to five years in prison for his role as the primary perpetrator. During his interrogation, investigators noted he expressed remorse, citing financial inability to provide for his family as the motive for the crime.
Judicial Disposition
This case underscores the legal consequences of accomplice liability within the criminal justice system, where facilitating a felony can result in severe sentencing comparable to direct participation. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of breach of trust by an employee in facilitating a violent crime. It is important to note that under the U.S. justice system, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, a standard that was met in this instance through the defendant’s plea and subsequent conviction.
