A Federal Way man who killed a 17-year-old while working as a security officer at a marijuana dispensary in Renton was sentenced to 86 months in the state Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter.
On Jan. 3 in King County Superior Court, Michael Leemoui, who last resided in Federal Way, was sentenced to 86 months for the charge of first-degree manslaughter and eight months for second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm — with the two sentences running concurrently. Leemoui was originally charged with second-degree murder, but after the trial ended in a hung jury on July 18, he pleaded down the charge to first-degree manslaughter. During the initial trial, he was found guilty of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The state recommended the maximum sentence of 114 months, and Leemoui’s defense recommended the minimum sentence of 86 months.
Details of the crime
According to court documents, Leemoui’s trial stemmed from the March 1, 2021, killing of 17-year-old Antonio Garcia-Fonseca in Renton while Leemoui worked as a security guard at Buddy’s Cannabis in Renton. While working as a security guard for Buddy’s, Leemoui was made aware that a man who just left Buddy’s had been robbed at gunpoint by a group of teens, documents said.
This prompted Leemoui to enter his car and chase after Garcia-Fonseca and another teen while donning a bulletproof vest. Leemoui subsequently located Garcia-Fonseca as he ran away and shot him in the back of the head, causing him to die, according to court documents. Documents state that Garcia-Fonseca was part of the group of teens, but he did not possess the firearm when he was shot.
The victim’s mother’s statement
Luisa Fonseca-Cardena, Garcia-Fonseca’s mother, gave Judge Mark Larrañaga a statement, asking for the maximum sentence to be given to Leemoui. She said that Leemoui’s family might not have been able to see him over the last nearly four years, but she will never see her own son again.
Fonseca-Cardena said before his death, her son would soon graduate from Sammamish High School. She said that he was a young man with a lot of goals, and he recently had gotten a job and offered to help pay bills.
“His life was stolen from him in a low and cowardly act,” Fonseca-Cardena said. “He [Leemoui] shot him in the back and left him on the ground without taking responsibility for his actions, which killed a young man.”
Fonseca-Cardena said Leemoui killed part of her when he took her son’s life. Fonseca-Cardena said it’s really hard for her to live daily, but she has other kids and must keep going. She said she has had various counseling sessions, but she remains depressed.
“That’s why, your honor, I ask for justice. I ask that you give him the maximum sentence that’s allowed,” Fonseca-Cardena said. “Even if that is so, I don’t get my son back, and the harm this has caused me and my family doesn’t go away. He needs to pay for his actions so the death of my son doesn’t go unpunished.”
The defendant’s statement
In a statement to the judge, Leemoui said he remembered the day of the crime as if it were yesterday, and never in a million years thought he would do something like it. He said he knows Luisa Fonseca-Cardena will never forgive him, but he asks that she find it in her heart to forgive him.
Leemoui said that what he’s going through doesn’t compare to what Fonseca-Cardena’s mother is going through, but he also lost his children due to being incarcerated. Leemoui said he missed graduations and milestones, and his son had to drop out of college to work and become the man of the house.
“It’s hard seeing how one move can have a ripple effect on so many people, and this has affected so many people,” Leemoui said. “To both families, I am sorry. I am truly sorry.”
Judge’s statement
Before administering the sentence, Judge Larrañaga said that the death of Antonio Garcia-Fonseca has changed the trajectory of many, but none more than Garcia-Fonseca himself. Larrañaga said the letters written to him showed a glimpse of Garcia-Fonseca’s ability, who he was, what could have been, and thoroughly detailed the pain, and loss of his family and friends.
“No sentence today will erase that pain. I hope, however, that he’s remembered for who he was and that memory is not overshadowed by the tragic circumstances that bring us here today,” Larrañaga said. “I also received materials about Mr. Leemoui and his family, and there’s no question that Mr. Leemoui and his family’s life trajectory has been altered forever.”
Larrañaga said in the initial trial, he saw Leemoui’s grief and remorse during the trial. Larrañaga said he saw him cry when Garcia-Fonseca’s mother testified, and he saw him cry when he testified under oath.
Larrañaga said he does not doubt that Leemoui’s remorse is genuine and said he believes Leemoui would erase what occurred on the day of the crime if he could.
Larrañaga said his job is to impose a sentence that is just, fair and consistent with the law. He said he also needs to impose a sentence that is proportionate to the offense, protects the public, offers an individual an opportunity to approve himself and reduces the risk of re-offending.
“I have struggled to find what is the appropriate sentence for this matter. I wholeheartedly believe we are not defined by our worst days, our actions.” Larrañaga said. “I find that the appropriate sentence under these circumstances is 86 months.”
