BOISE, Idaho — An Ontario man has pleaded guilty to murder for shooting and killing Joseph Johnson, a reserve officer with the Nyssa Police Department.
An attorney with the Malheur County District Court said in an email on Wednesday that Rene Castro pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in court.
Johnson, who lived in Ontario, Oregon, died in the line of duty on April 15, 2023. He was 43 years old and worked as a mental health officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Johnson served as a reserve officer in his free time.
According to Oregon State Police, Johnson had pulled over a man suspected of damaging property and threatening people at a house when the suspect, identified as Castro, started shooting while Johnson was still in his car. The attorney said Johnson died before first responders arrived.
OSP SWAT team members took Castro into custody the morning of April 17, 2023, in Ontario after members of that team, as well as the FBI, Ontario Police, Malheur County Sheriff's Office, and other agencies, surrounded a home.
The news release states Castro is anticipated to receive a minimum of 30 years to life in prison.
Castro's sentencing is set for April 5, 2024, at 3 p.m. (MT) at the Malheur County District Court.
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