18-year sentence given to man for helping bury victim alive
RUSKIN (FOX 13) - Octavio Reyes was a proud dad of six. He loved being a dad, his truck, and helping people.
But in the summer of 2014, a man he helped and trusted betrayed him in the worst way, according to Reyes' oldest daughter Melanie.
"How do you kill somebody who fed you? I mean, my dad helped his family," Melanie Reyes said.
Defendant Adam Regino pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors say Regino and co-defendant Javier Bermudez targeted Reyes.
They say the men kidnaped, robbed, and buried Reyes alive along the banks of the Little Manatee River in Ruskin.
Reyes' oldest daughter Melanie is still trying to cope nearly four years later.
"He was the glue of our family and he's no longer here because of other people's mistakes," she said.
Melanie and her family were in court to see Regino go off the prison.
Maria Reyes misses her uncle every day.
"He wasn't a bad person. He didn't deserve to die like this," said Reyes.
Regino was sentenced to 18 years in prison. His co-defendant Javier Bermudez is serving a 35-year prison sentence.
But it will never be enough for Melanie and her siblings who lost their father and years of future memories.
"I wanted life cause he took a life away. 18 years isn't enough," said Reyes.