A now 21 year-old Santa Cruz man, who was 15 years-old when he tortured and killed his neighbor (8 year-old Maddy Middleton)….before stuffing her body in a dumpster….has been sentenced to the maximum term of confinement….but that is likely to end when he turns 25 years-old, because he had to be tried as a juvenile. A.J. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to all of the charges against him in the 2015 kidnapping, torture, and murder case. When Gonzalez spoke to the family in court yesterday he said, “It is not my intention to make matters worse with the words I choose to share. I understand there is very little I can say after all the pain and suffering I have caused.”
Although Gonzalez, who has already served more than 2,000 days in custody, could be eligible for release when he turns 25 years-old…..he could also be held in the juvenile justice system for longer (in 2 year increments) if he is still deemed a danger to society. When he is released, Gonzalez will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and he will also be expected to pay $22,000 in restitution fees.
