Xavier Eriberto Velazquez, 19, of the 500 block of Manor Street in Lancaster, was sentenced by Judge Dennis Reinaker on Sunday, Oct. 27, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Velazquez had pleaded guilty in June to robbery of a motor vehicle, criminal conspiracy to commit robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, and firearms not to be carried without a license, the release detailed.
Velazquez was “not taking as much responsibility as he should” for the armed robbery, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa said. He admitted to holding the gun during the crime but claimed it belonged to co-defendant Matthew Reyes, the DA’s Office said.
But co-defendant Evian Simmons told investigators that Velazquez and Reyes planned to steal the victim’s car all along, ordering a pizza to lure her to the 100 block of East Vine Street during the early morning hours of Friday, June 7, 2024. That’s when Velazquez held a gun to the woman’s head as Reyes stood nearby, Ponessa told the court…