Teens Sentenced For Robberies

Two teenagers were sentenced this week in connection with a series of robberies last summer.

The robberies began with a break-in at the Gun Shop on the Lewisville Highway in Idaho Falls on July 17. That was followed by armed robberies at a Common Cents convenience store and Los Adalbertos Restaurant, also in Idaho Falls.

Sixteen-year-old Keno Clifford pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and two counts of robbery. He received a combined sentence that includes both adult and juvenile penalties. A two- to 12-year jail sentence was suspended in favor of seven years of adult probation. He will serve time in the Juvenile Corrections Center until he turns 19. He was ordered to pay $19,440 in restitution.

Carlos Ortiz, 15, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In exchange for his plea, Ortiz was sentenced to two to six years in prison. But that term was suspended to seven years of adult probation. He’ll be sentenced to the Idaho Juvenile Corrections Center until he turns 17.Ortiz was also ordered to pay $6,480 in restitution.

Both were tried as adults.

The restitution is intended to pay, in part, for damages sustained by the victimized businesses.

Bonneville County Prosecutor Bruce Pickett said the crimes were serious enough to warrant punishment. But he said he hopes they’ll “respond to rehabilitation without having to face prison time with adult offenders.”