Executive Summary
- Anthony Watson was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the 2023 murder of Ricardo De La Fuente.
- The fatal shooting occurred during a botched carjacking disguised as a vehicle sale in Bexar County.
- Watson was a minor at the time of the offense but was certified to stand trial as an adult.
- One accomplice was killed in self-defense by the victim, and another suspect was arrested in October 2023.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – An 18-year-old male has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a fatal 2023 shooting that occurred during a botched carjacking, according to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
Anthony Watson, who was a minor at the time of the incident but was certified to stand trial as an adult, was sentenced Monday on a murder charge following a plea deal. The conviction stems from the death of Ricardo De La Fuente during a deceptive vehicle transaction in south Bexar County.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators determined that Watson, along with individuals identified as Daquan Ruffin and Dontrae Suarez, arranged a meeting with sellers Fernando Martinez and De La Fuente under the pretense of buying a car. Authorities state the meeting was a setup intended to facilitate a robbery.
The District Attorney’s Office stated that when the sellers realized the true intent of the meeting, De La Fuente shot and killed Suarez in self-defense. Watson then allegedly shot and killed De La Fuente before fleeing the scene. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) reported that Martinez was also injured and transported to a hospital, where he survived.
Law enforcement arrested Ruffin in connection with the shooting in October 2023. Based on physical evidence and Martinez’s account, Watson was apprehended on May 23, 2024. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales commented on the case’s resolution regarding Watson.
“Two young lives were lost in moments of violence that should never have happened,” Gonzales said in a press release. “The defendant must now live with the consequences of the pain he caused, and our thoughts remain with the families who continue to carry this grief.”
Judicial Process and Sentencing
The sentencing of Anthony Watson underscores the severity with which the Texas judicial system handles violent felonies committed by juveniles who are certified as adults. By moving the case to adult court, the legal system allows for sentencing guidelines that far exceed those available in juvenile proceedings, reflecting the gravity of the loss of life. While Watson has been sentenced, legal proceedings for other individuals connected to the case may still be ongoing. It is important to note that all individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
