SALT LAKE CITY — A man found guilty of killing a Millard County deputy during a traffic stop in 2010 was sentenced to serve life plus 80 years in federal prison.
Roberto Miramontes Roman was sentenced for the killing of Deputy Josie Greathouse Fox.
Fox was shot to death during a traffic stop outside Delta, Utah in January 2010. According to the United States Attorney for the District of Utah, Fox stopped the man on suspicion of drug trafficking, and authorities allege the man had just sold methamphetamine and was armed with a handgun and a rifle.
Roman shot and killed Fox in an effort to avoid apprehension. According to a press release, he was in the country illegally and had entered after being previously deported for felony drug convictions.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions commented on the sentencing in a press release Thursday, noting that it came during National Police Week:
“Deputy Sheriff Fox sacrificed her life trying to keep our country safe, and we must never forget that. I am grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who brought her killer to justice no matter how long it took.
This case also demonstrates that we must enforce the rule of law along our southwest border, and confront the scourge of drug trafficking. During this National Police Week, and every day of the year, we must continue to stand behind our brave law enforcement officers, who do a dangerous job day in and day out.”
Roman, who had been previously acquitted in Fox's murder in state court, was found guilty of the crime in a federal court in February.
In January, Roman pleaded guilty in federal court to three firearms and immigration violation. Federal prosecutors tried Roman on eight remaining charges, including the intentional killing of a law enforcement officer.
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