1st suspect sentenced in brutal beating and robbery of 82-year-old central Iowa woman

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to a maximum of 55 years in prison for his role in the violent robbery and assault of an elderly central Iowa woman. 

Manuel Eduardo Balderas was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in November to second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, first-degree burglary and willful injury causing serious injury, court records show. He was one of three young men accused of breaking into a then-82-year-old woman's Kelley home Aug. 23, 2018, temporarily blinding the grandmother before beating and robbing her. 

Kelley is town of nearly 300 people about 10 miles south of Ames. The robbery and assault took place in the 1100 block of Ford Street.

The assault victim was left with a bloodied, swollen and bruised face and brain bleeding and was hospitalized for several days after the incident, court records show. 

Criminal complaints also alleged sexual assault, but Balderas' first-degree sexual-abuse charge, along with three others, was dismissed with his plea deal. A conviction of first-degree sex abuse would lead to a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Story County prosecutor Jessica Reynolds said a lack of evidence made that charge hard to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

The other two suspects — 17-year-old Luis A. Cruz and 19-year-old Jacob Jimenez — in the case have also pleaded guilty to robbery, burglary and assault charges and will be sentenced within the coming weeks, court records show. Reynolds said she "worked closely" with the victim, who was related to one of the defendants in the case, during plea negotiations. 

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"(The victim) is as tough as they come," the county attorney said. "She's a tough, wonderful woman. I'm happy she won't have to testify. She's been through enough."

Balderas has been ordered not to contact the victim or her family for five years from the sentencing date. He must serve at least seven years in prison before he is eligible for parole, according to the sentencing order, and his incarceration is due to begin immediately.

Police had searched for Balderas for about 10 months before locating him in Des Moines. He'd originally faced seven charges related to the assault and robbery of the Kelley woman and a burglary and theft at another home the same night.

Nearly three hours after the break-in and assault was called in, Story County deputies were sent to the 900 block of Hubbel Street — where the 82-year-old victim's daughter lives — after a burglary was reported.

Previous coverage: 

• Suspect in Iowa group assault, robbery of elderly woman to be sentenced to 62 years in prison, prosecutor says
• Second suspect in beating, sexual assault of 82-year-old arrested in Des Moines; suspect-great-grandson still at-large
• Man accused of helping 2 others rob, sexually assault his 82-year-old relative arrested, officials say
• Court records: Family member helped carry out beating, sexual assault of 82-year-old, burglary

"It's likely a family member was involved in the assault since both crimes involved the same family and (one of the suspects) would have known where (his grandfather's) car was located," the document stated.

A couple's car was stolen, and electronics, jewelry and some cash were taken from the Hubbel Street home. The 1998 Cadillac stolen was eventually found abandoned in Ames near residences on Iowa State University's campus. The trio was implicated in that crime as well. 

Cruz was apprehended in Texas several months after the assault. Jimenez was taken into custody in Jewell after a monthslong search. Investigators later said Jimenez knew the 82-year-old woman as "grandma."

Cruz in September agreed to plead guilty to charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury and second-degree theft, court records show. In Cruz's case prosecutors and defense lawyers recommended he serve 62 years in prison. The state will request a mandatory minimum of 17.5 years before the youngest suspect is up for parole.

But since Cruz was a minor at the time of the offense, he can request no mandatory minimum. He is next due in court Monday and will learn his sentencing date.

Jimenez also agreed to plead guilty Thursday to first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and willful injury causing serious injury. Prosecutors will recommend Jimenez spend 65 years in prison, according to court records, with a minimum of 17.5 years.

He, too, was a minor at the time of the crime meaning the minimum will be debated between the state and defense attorneys. 

A sentencing hearing for Jimenez is scheduled for Jan. 23, court records show. He's also facing theft and burglary charges related to separate incidents that occurred while he was on the run from police.

Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.

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