Mcquilliams pleads guilty in death of girlfriend

A man who killed his girlfriend on New Year’s Day in Idaho Falls is now pleading guilty to all charges against him.

Kevin Mcquilliams changed his pleas to the three felony charges against him Monday: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, involuntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon. Enhancements to the charges were dismissed.

The charges stem from a fight that broke out at an Idaho Falls house party Jan. 1.

Police said during the fight, Mcquilliams fired a gun, and the bullet struck and killed his girlfriend, AnnaRae Ponce. According to police, Mcquilliams did not mean to kill Ponce.

“Involuntary charge is the appropriate charge here,” said his attorney, John Thomas, on Monday. “It was a complete accident.”

Mcquilliams is “devastated” about what happened, Thomas said.

Mcquilliams is scheduled to be sentenced June 8. The state is recommending 17 years on the combined charges.