Phoenix Enters Plea for Murder of 7-Year-Old Heidy Rivas Villanueva

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Trevonte Montie Phoenix, 18, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to the court to Second-Degree Murder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Phoenix now faces a range of 20 years to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Phoenix on a date to be determined.

On Aug. 11, 2018, 7-year-old Heidy Rivas Villanueva went with her family to pick up food at a Westside restaurant. They parked in a space in front of the business and Heidy’s mother entered the restaurant to pick up food. While this was taking place, Phoenix and a co-defendant were seen on surveillance video walking toward another nearby restaurant’s parking lot, where a gun trade was scheduled to take place. Phoenix and his co-defendant robbed the man of his weapon and other valuables before walking back toward the restaurant and plaza. As they walked, a friend of the robbery victim who was parked nearby opened fire — one of the bullets struck Heidy, still waiting in the car with her family, in the head. Phoenix, while fleeing, returned fire. Heidy later died at the hospital.

Edward Garcia has pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and is awaiting sentencing. Defendants Abrion Price and Stanley Harris are awaiting trial.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Mac Heavener III.