BUCKEYE — A one-man crime wave from Lake Havasu City has died in custody at the Arizona State Prison-Complex in Buckeye. The Arizona Department of Corrections reports the April 12 death of inmate Daniel Montoya, 36.
“Due to the nature of Montoya’s death, an investigation is currently being conducted,’’ a news release said. “More information will be released as it becomes available.”
Montoya was first sentenced to prison in March of 2008, for violating probation from five previous misdemeanor and two felony convictions. He was released in December, 2009, weeks before he committed three armed robberies in Lake Havasu City within an hour and ten minutes.
A Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) said Montoya first burst into an apartment in the 2300 block of McCulloch Boulevard where he demanded money from three men at gunpoint at 10:01 p.m., on January 3, 2009.
22 minutes later he entered another apartment in the 3100 block of Kearsage Drive, according to the PSI. He reportedly pointed a weapon at seven juveniles 10-to-15 years of age, stealing beers, a bottle of alcohol and a cell Phone from them. Montoya punched a 14 year old boy with a closed fist.
The PSI said Montoya next accosted a woman as she parked her vehicle in the 1200 block of Anacapa Drive at 11:11 p.m. He reportedly robbed her at gunpoint before he crossed the street and did the same to two other adults.
A press account indicated Montoya was later identified as a suspect in an April 18, 2009 room invasion and knife point robbery at the Nautical Inn. He was subsequently arrested on July 12, 2009 and charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and other offenses in a 41-count indictment.
Prosecutor Jeremy Huss and Public Defender Robin Puchek reached a plea agreement entered before Judge Rick Williams. Montoya pleaded guilty to one count of burglary for the January crime spree and to armed robbery for the Nautical Inn event.
Montoya faced 7-26 years in prison under terms of the deal. Judge Williams imposed a 24-year prison sentence during a March 9, 2010 sentencing hearing.
