Would-be burglar sentenced to five years

CLOVIS — The second of two young men involved in a failed home burglary effort last summer — and the one shot by the homeowner in the process — was sentenced Wednesday to five years behind bars and probation following, per a plea agreement.

Roderick Cordova, 25, appeared in a Curry County courtroom with his defense attorney, S. Doug Jones Witt. His “co-conspirator,” 22-year old Skylar Romero, was already sentenced in January to six years behind bars for his role in the July 19, 2017, incident, according to court records.

10th Judicial District Attorney Tim Rose, representing the case for the state due to a conflict in the 9th district, told Judge Matthew Chandler that Cordova was familiar with the Clovis homeowner’s family and knew they would be out of the house.

What the pair apparently did not count on was Frederick Tenorio returning to his residence while they were inside and noticing strange bicycles outside. His wife and children stayed in the car while he entered, armed, and encountered Romero and Cordova, according to court documents. Tenorio ultimately shot Cordova near the torso shortly before police arrived; Romero fled on foot and turned himself in to police soon after.

Cordova was transported at the time to a Texas hospital and his treatment needs are ongoing, Witt said Wednesday in court. Chandler granted Cordova a month-long furlough for an additional medical appointment but must otherwise remain on house arrest and is to report back by Sept. 15; any remaining treatment can be administered through the Department of Corrections.

Tenorio was not charged in connection with the incident, and he appeared in court Wednesday to speak to how it traumatized his family.

Following an agreement reached in March, Cordova was adjudged guilty of aggravated burglary (armed after entering), a second-degree felony, and his other felony charge of firearm larceny was dismissed by prosecutors. Per that agreement, Cordova was to be sentenced to nine years in prison, of which three were suspended and the rest left to the judge’s discretion.

Chandler on Tuesday suspended four of those nine years in favor of supervised probation, leaving Cordova with five years in custody minus one day of time served. If he fails to report back in time from his furlough he faces additional charges of escape from custody.

During sentencing, Chandler urged Cordova to consider the event an “opportunity to make things right.”

“You suffered physical injury getting shot (during the burglary), but that does not negate what you have done,” Chandler told Cordova. “That shot that you thought would end your life, hopefully it saved your life.”

Cordova spoke during the hearing, apologizing to Tenorio and stating he learned a hard lesson.

Rose said he was pleased with the sentences for both the men involved.

“I think the sentences of Roderick Cordova and Skylar Romero were fair, and hopefully send a deterrent effect to the Clovis community that if you break into somebody’s house and commit burglaries then you’re likely to go to prison,” he told The News.