Texas woman gets 15 years after guilty plea in deadly robbery

Texas woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery in a home invasion that left a 20-year-old man dead, ending a case in which investigators linked her to the crime through surveillance footage, messages and evidence found at the scene.

QuikTrip cup helps investigators identify suspect

Julie Marie Lopez, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery in connection with the October 2024 death of Isaiah Guevara, 20, the Bexar County District Attorney's Office announced.

Police responded to the Villas of Oak Creste apartments in San Antonio on October 26, 2024, after reports of gunfire. Officers found Guevara dead inside his apartment with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators also discovered a QuikTrip cup containing a red drink on the victim's dresser. The cup was still cold and matched one seen in surveillance footage from a nearby QuikTrip, where Lopez and Guevara had been captured together shortly before the shooting.

Authorities also recovered Instagram messages showing the pair arranging to meet that night.

Witnesses and messages pointed to robbery plot

According to investigators, witnesses saw two men fleeing Guevara's apartment while a woman shouted from the parking lot. Doorbell camera footage also captured three suspects leaving the scene.

Police said Lopez later sent a voice message stating that a group of people was "hiding."

An anonymous tip later alleged Lopez admitted the meeting with Guevara had been part of a robbery setup. During questioning, Lopez acknowledged being at the apartment but refused to identify the others involved.

When investigators warned she could face a murder charge, Lopez reportedly responded, "It's my choice," and "It's my mistake."

A separate witness later told police Lopez helped lure Guevara to be robbed before one of her associates fatally shot him during the robbery.

Plea deal reduces murder charge

Lopez was initially charged with murder and aggravated robbery in January 2025.

A 24-year-old man was later charged with Guevara's murder in March 2026, but prosecutors dropped the case in June, citing insufficient evidence.

Under the plea agreement, Lopez pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Judge Christine Del Prado also credited her with 499 days already served in pretrial detention.

The victim's family criticised the plea agreement, saying they believed a murder conviction should have been pursued.