GOODING, ID – The courtroom fell silent Monday as 16-year-old Rolan Delacruz stood before a judge to learn the consequences of his role in a grisly homicide that drew the attention of the Idaho community earlier this year. Delacruz was handed a 23-years-to-life sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Dax Richins, an act committed with what the prosecution described as shocking brutality.
Prosecutors said Delacruz, who was charged as an adult, and co-defendant Alexander Garcia, 18, lured Richins to a secluded area under the pretense of attending a bonfire on June 24, only to ambush him with a combination of stabbing and beating that led to his death. Garcia, 17 at the time of the crime, previously entered a guilty plea and received a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars.
According to court records, the pair’s attempt to cover their tracks involved returning to the crime scene the following day. Investigators learned the teenagers dismembered Richins’ body in an effort to hinder identification, before burying the remains in a shallow grave near the Snake River Canyon.
The investigation revealed additional disturbing details. Forensic teams recovered a human bone from Garcia’s truck, which he reportedly described as a “trophy.” Authorities also examined Snapchat videos and text messages in which Garcia allegedly boasted about the crime, admitting to “killing someone” and referencing efforts to mutilate the victim’s remains.
The search for Richins came to a tragic close in September, when his skull was found on the rim of the canyon. His body was located nearby, providing closure to a case that had shaken local residents and left Richins’ family grieving.
During the sentencing hearing, Delacruz addressed the Richins family with a statement expressing deep remorse. The teenager described the guilt and emotional torment he has experienced since participating in the murder, acknowledging that he “deserves to suffer” for his actions and indicating an awareness of the magnitude of his crimes.
Rodney Richins, the victim’s father, spoke in court about his son’s wrongful death and the pain the family endures. He questioned how the young men could carry out such violence against someone they once called a friend, and reflected on the shattered futures facing both his own family and those of the perpetrators.
District Court Judge Rosemary Emory, weighing the evidence and emotional testimony, chose to sentence Delacruz directly to the Idaho Department of Corrections, foregoing juvenile detention. The sentence requires Delacruz to serve a minimum of 23 years before he will be eligible for parole.
The case remains active as another defendant, Nathaniel Felix, 23, awaits trial. Felix has pleaded not guilty to charges of accessory to murder and destruction of evidence, with court proceedings scheduled for early 2026.
Both the courtroom proceedings and the grim details of the crime have left a lasting impact on the Gooding community, sparking conversations about violence among teens and the lasting consequences such actions bring to all involved.