Terrance Santistevan was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life terms for murdering Leslie Cota, 18, and Danielle Murrieta, 17, in Casa Grande.

The 21-year-old was found guilty of the crimes on April 24, three years after the teens were found shot, according to a Pinal County Attorney’s Office release.

The jury returned the verdict on two counts of first-degree murder following a six-week trial in Pinal County Superior Court.

Both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds on April 24, 2022, after Santistevan fired “more than two dozen 9mm rounds using a Glock handgun modified with a switch to make it fire as a fully automatic weapon,” the release stated.

According to authorities, Santistevan and another man were involved in a human smuggling operation. When Santistevan wasn't paid the money he believed he was owed, he sought revenge against the man.

But instead of killing him, he murdered Cota and Murrieta who were attempting to drive to McDonald’s for dinner.

Cota was found in the back seat of the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Murrieta was found on the ground behind the vehicle and died at a hospital.

“Justice has been served in our community,” Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller said. “While nothing can undo the loss of the two young lives tragically taken ... the person responsible will be held accountable.”

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