Teen allegedly involved in high speed car chase changes plea

A 15-year-old El Pasoan who police say was behind the wheel during that high speed chase last month, faced a judge Friday.

Five teens are accused of robbing four El Paso stores, then being stopped by authorities halfway to Alamogordo.

The alleged driver of the getaway car faced a judge for the second time.

El Paso Police called the group’s crime spree ‘dangerous,’ but Friday–a clearly different tone from 15-year old Edwin Rodriguez as he walked into the courtroom.

Wearing an orange jumpsuit, Rodriguez sat quietly with his hands crossed as an Alamogordo judge read him his rights.

“Do you understand you have a right to a trial by jury to determine whether or not you committed the offenses charged?” Judge James Waylon Counts asked.

Rodriguez replied, “Yes, your honor.”

Rodriguez initially pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance, but Friday changed his plea.

Rodriguez pleaded no contest to seven charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy among others.

Under a plea agreement–charges of conspiracy to tamper evidence and conspiracy to possess a stolen vehicle were dismissed.

Rodriguez could have faced 17 1/2 years had he been charged on all nine counts as an adult. As a teen, he faces less severe punishment.

“Anywhere from a couple of years probation, up until two years confinement which could be extended for a year at a time up until the age of 21,” 12th Judicial Court Assistant District Attorney Ellen Jessen said.

His time in court isn’t over yet–he’s accused of crimes in two states. Rodriguez’s final disposition in New Mexico is scheduled for December.

“Regardless of whether the outcome is probation, or some sort of commitment here, Texas will come pink him up for the proceedings in Texas,” Jessen said.

It’s still unclear how sentencing will work in both states. Abc-7 reached out to the county attorney’s office. The spokesman, Elhiu Dominguez says they still don’t know what the teens will be charged with or when because they still haven’t gotten the case from El Paso Police yet.