Third suspect in fatal McAllen shooting sentenced

The third and final adult suspect in a 2022 McAllen homicide has been sentenced to eight years in prison, court records show.

Sandra Edith Morales, 20, pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Morales receives credit for 710 days in jail, according to a plea agreement.

Morales was arrested alongside Carlos Gustavo Macias and Amador Sandoval in connection with the shooting death of 53-year-old Rosendo Benitez.

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Benitez was found with a gunshot wound in the 2900 block of West Pecan Avenue in January 2022. He died at the hospital.

Records obtained by Channel 5 News indicate the group was attempting to commit burglaries when the murder occurred.

In May, Macias was sentenced to 45 years in prison for murder in connection with the death.

On Wednesday, Sandoval was sentenced to 10 years probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

A fourth suspect was also arrested in connection with Benitez's death. The status of his case is unknown since he was a minor at the time of his arrest and has not been identified by authorities.