NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Frankie DeJesus, 28, of Waterbury, was sentenced Tuesday in New Haven Superior Court to 50 years in prison for the July 2022 murder of 18-year-old William Beltran. DeJesus was also found guilty of criminal gun possession.
The fatal shooting occurred outside a Waterbury deli on Willow Street. During trial, eyewitness testimony placed DeJesus at the scene, and evidence included surveillance footage, cell phone data, and ballistic comparisons. The jury returned guilty verdicts in September.
At sentencing, Beltran’s family spoke about the impact of the loss, while the judge noted DeJesus’ prior convictions for illegal gun possession, assault, and narcotics distribution. The judge highlighted that on the night of the murder, DeJesus was dressed “head-to-toe in all black” and “physically hunted down” Beltran.
New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John Doyle, Jr. emphasized that the crime, committed with a firearm DeJesus was prohibited from possessing, warranted the lengthy sentence. Doyle also praised the investigative efforts of Waterbury Police, Naugatuck Police, the New Haven FBI office, and various forensic teams.
