Pawtucket man sentenced to life for murder following drug deal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Pawtucket man convicted of shooting and killing a man following a drug transaction has been sentenced to life in prison, according to the office of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
Jovon Depina, 28, pleaded guilty to several charges in Providence Superior Court Thursday:
- One count of first-degree murder
- One count of conspiracy to commit murder
- One count of possession of a ghost gun
He was also ordered to serve a consecutive ten years with five years to serve and ten years of probation for possession of a ghost gun.
Depina will serve his sentence at the Adult Correctional Institutions.
According to Neronha’s office, Depina and co-defendant Elijah Soto met Jovani Velez, 28, in a parking lot near Park and Laurel Streets in Pawtucket on January 30, 2022.
The defendants met with the victim to sell him a small amount of cocaine at approximately 6:51 p.m., according to the AG.
Velez entered the defendants’ vehicle, and after the transaction engaged in an argument in the car.
Jovani exited the vehicle to wait for his ride and the defendants left the lot.
Upon arriving home, Depina went inside and reappeared wearing a black jacket, black gloves and carrying a black ghost gun.
The defendants then drove back to the parking lot where Jovani was still waiting, according to Neronha’s office.
According to video surveillance footage, Depina exited the Nissan Murano and fired several shots at Jovani.
The victim was struck in the stomach and died from the wound.
