Executive Summary
- Oscar Zuniga was sentenced to seven years in prison for aiding and abetting first-degree robbery.
- The conviction stems from a March 2 incident where Zuniga held a gun to a driver’s head during a carjacking.
- The sentence was part of a plea deal that dismissed a first-degree carjacking charge.
- Co-defendant Joesiah Wakon was previously sentenced to 15 months for his role in the police pursuit.
- Zuniga has a criminal history including four prior violent crime convictions.
A St. Paul man with a documented history of violent offenses was sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday for his involvement in a daytime armed robbery and carjacking. Oscar Zuniga, 30, received the sentence in Ramsey County District Court after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree robbery.
The sentencing concludes a legal process stemming from a March 2 incident in St. Paul’s Greater East Side neighborhood. According to court records, the seven-year term was the result of a plea agreement negotiated between the defense and prosecution in November. As part of this arrangement, a separate charge of aiding and abetting first-degree carjacking was dismissed at sentencing. Prosecutors also agreed to waive a request for an aggravated sentence, despite Zuniga having four prior convictions defined as crimes of violence under Minnesota state statute.
According to the criminal complaints filed against Zuniga and his accomplice, the incident began around 1:30 p.m. when officers responded to a carjacking report near White Bear Avenue. A 34-year-old victim told police he had picked up a female friend along with two men, identified as Joesiah Ramon Wakon and Zuniga, who was known by the alias “Mouse.” During the ride, Zuniga allegedly produced a handgun, held it to the back of the driver’s head, and threatened to kill him. The victim surrendered his wallet and phone before exiting the vehicle, a Toyota Tundra.
Police reports state that officers located the stolen vehicle shortly after the robbery and attempted a traffic stop. Wakon, who had taken the wheel, refused to stop, reportedly telling passengers he would not go to jail. The ensuing pursuit involved speeds of up to 70 mph and erratic driving into oncoming traffic on Maryland Avenue. The chase ended when the Tundra struck another car and spun out near the Interstate 35E entrance ramp. Wakon was apprehended at the scene.
Court records indicate a pattern of recidivism for Zuniga, listing convictions for first-degree aggravated robbery in 2014, simple robbery in 2022, and second-degree aggravated robbery in 2023. Wakon, the co-defendant, previously pleaded guilty to auto theft and fleeing police and was sentenced to 15 months in prison in November.
Judicial Implications and Public Safety
This case highlights the complexities of prosecuting repeat violent offenders within the Minnesota judicial system. While the plea agreement necessitated the dismissal of the specific carjacking charge and the waiver of sentencing enhancements, it successfully secured a substantial prison term for a defendant with a significant history of violent crime. The resolution effectively balances the certainty of incarceration against the resources and risks associated with a trial. It is important to note that while a guilty plea was entered for the robbery charge, all individuals are presumed innocent of any dismissed charges or additional allegations until proven guilty in a court of law.
