Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Attempted Felony Murder
Thursday morning, Judge Denise Ferrero sentenced Jose E. Galindo, 25, to 50 years in prison with a 25-year minimum mandatory followed by a lifetime of probation. Galindo was facing a maximum of 25 to life.
Galindo, born in Mexico, had a Spanish speaking interpreter provided to him for the hearing as he is not fluent in English. Four of his family members were present.
Galindo’s sentencing hearing came after a jury delivered a guilty verdict at trial. Galindo committed the offenses with two minor co-defendants who were charged as adults, Bryan Galindo Vega, who was a week from turning 16, and Yasin Kamel Al’olabi, 17 at the time. Both took plea deals for 15 years in prison followed by ten years of probation on the same charges as Galindo.
Galindo Vega and Al’olabi were both intricately involved in planning to rob cannabis vape carts from the victim, 17-year-old Ari Mordujovich, but Galindo was the man who pulled the trigger. They were all charged the same in accordance with the law.
The co-defendants carried out the robbery on October 5, 2024.
Judge Denise Ferrero, who presided over the trial, acknowledged that she received a copy of the pre-sentence investigation.
Assistant State Attorney Christopher Elsey emphasized that Galindo was the adult in the situation and the “quote on quote big brother” to Galindo Vega. Elsey said that Galindo Vega and Al’olabi were planning the robbery for months when Galindo overheard a conversation about it and decided to involve himself.
Elsey stressed that Galindo made a choice. He could have done what his mother would have wanted and stopped his younger brother from making the worst decision of his life. Rather, Galindo decided to participate and offered to be the driver and gunman. “That’s what this defendant chose to do at 23 years of age,” Elsey said. “The rest is history.”
Elsey said the co-defendants lured Mordujovich to the scene and laid in wait until he arrived. According to a lawsuit filed by Mordujovich’s family, the shooting occurred at the Oaks Condominiums after the co-defendants purported themselves to be residents. Mordujovich’s family alleged that the Oaks Condominiums was negligent and the case was settled out of trial.
Based on the police report, Galindo Vega initiated the transaction with Mordujovich and they were discussing the sale. Mordujovich told Galindo Vega to give him the money for the carts. Galindo Vega then pulled his phone out of his pocket and Mordujovich saw he was on the phone. At this time, two unknown individuals later identified as Al’olabi and Galindo emerged from the bushes wearing ski masks.
Knowing he had been set up, Mordujovich began attacking Galindo Vega while he tried to steal the bag of carts. As the two co-defendants approached, Mordujovich saw one (later identified as Galindo) was holding a blue handgun. Galindo then shot Mordujovich.
Elsey described Galindo as flanking Mordujovich and said the shot was from point blank range. Mordujovich testified at trial that he did not see the shot coming. The bullet entered Mordujovich’s upper right chest and traveled to his spinal cord. Mordujovich fell to the ground paralyzed. Galindo then stepped on Mordujovich’s neck and completed the robbery. They also took his phone and keys.
Elsey said the co-defendants fled the scene after realizing they were witnessed by a neighbor. They went to a getaway vehicle that Galindo left nearby.
Elsey said that in the days that followed, the co-defendants “showed absolutely zero remorse” about the shooting. He said they were sharing screenshots from Mordujovich and his mother’s Facebook about him being at the hospital alongside emojis representing handicapped individuals and laughing emojis. It’s unclear if Al’olabi participated in these exchanges but Galindo and Galindo Vega were definitely sharing messages where they made fun of Mordujovich.
Galindo Vega, who attended Buchholz High with Mordujovich, talked about Mordujovich’s condition and said that people were saying they’re scared to sell since someone is out there robbing and killing. Galindo Vega then said “we’re ghosts out here” alongside ghost and laughing emojis.
“Did they know who it was?” Galindo asked.
Galindo Vega said no. Galindo instructed his brother to deny knowledge of the incident.
Elsey said that Mordujovich will remain paralyzed from the chest down for the rest of his life and that it’s undoubtedly been shortened as a result.
Mordujovich and his family were not present at the hearing. Elsey said he’s had extensive conversations with them and they did not wish to be there. Elsey said they wanted to avoid a trial because it required Mordujovich to sit in the same room with the man who shot him.
Elsey said that Galindo has prior juvenile adjudications for trespassing, cannabis possession, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting without violence and grand theft. He also has an adult conviction for resisting without violence stemming from when he was arrested in Pasco County on the attempted murder warrant. Elsey said Galindo hid in a closet and was apprehended by a K-9.
Elsey said that Galindo presents a great risk to society and asked for 50 years in prison with a 25-year minimum mandatory followed by a lifetime of supervision, with the primary special condition being that he makes efforts to pay restitution to Mordujovich, which is roughly $2 million. Elsey called it a “very conservative estimate” considering the lifetime of care, which the co-defendants have also been ordered to pay.
Defense Counsel asked for 25 years in prison, the minimum mandatory. Defense Counsel brought up how Galindo’s co-defendants received plea deals, and also referenced a plea offer Galindo received for 40 years in prison.
Citing the pre-sentence investigation, Defense Counsel said Galindo was recommended to serve 30 years in prison followed by four years of probation. Pre-sentence investigations are handled by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Defense Counsel brought up the support from Galindo’s family and read aloud two letters. A family member described him as a good uncle and called him kind, respectful and hardworking. Another family member, Galindo’s cousin, said they’ve never seen him angry and that he has the ability to learn and become better.
Defense Counsel said Galindo had a “very difficult childhood… Born in Mexico… when he was a small child… he did cross the border into the United States [with] Coyotes… The journey was very traumatic for him.” Defense Counsel said that Galindo’s younger brother fell off a truck during the journey and was severely injured. Defense Counsel further stated that Galindo, just five or six years old, witnessed several serious acts of violence during the trip including a woman being sexually battered.
Defense Counsel said Galindo was not able to attend school after entering the United States and that he worked as a domestic laborer when he was still a small child. Defense Counsel said she wasn’t trying to excuse anything that occurred but provide context to Galindo’s life.
Defense Counsel appeared to convince Galindo to agree to the roughly $2 million in restitution since he could potentially face a higher cost at a hearing.
Elsey objected to the defense’s use of Galindo’s plea offer in their argument. Elsey said plea offers allow defendants to accept responsibility and avoid the risks and costs of trial, and said that being used against them would influence their willingness to negotiate in the future. Elsey said the plea was only offered because Mordujovich did not want to take the stand and face Galindo while recounting what he endured.
Speaking to Galindo directly, Ferrero said that in her entire legal career she has never experienced a case that has stuck with her more than this one. “I cannot express how devastating these facts are…” she said. “This is a tragedy for everyone.”
Ferrero sympathized with Galindo’s mother as a mother herself. “We all hope our children make good choices,” she said. “It’s just beyond understanding how something like this could happen to four young men… While I have great sympathy for your mother, I have to find that there was absolutely no hesitation or remorse…” Ferrero then imposed the recommendation from the prosecution.
Galindo indicated that he will appeal.
