Leadville Man Sentenced to 36 Years Prison for Murdering Girlfriend
LEADVILLE, Colo. – Jesus Alejandro Artica, 34, of Leadville, was sentenced today to 36 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for murdering his girlfriend, Yolanda Lacome, 35. Artica pleaded guilty to the charge of 2nd degree murder on July 7, 2022. As part of this plea deal, he cannot ask for a reduction in today’s maximum sentencing, but will receive credit for time served (595 days).
On Jan. 12, 2021, Leadville Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Mt. Massive Townhomes after dispatch received a call from an unknown male saying he had shot someone. Officers began clearing units at the scene, before nearby residents provided pictures of Artica going from Unit #5 to Unit #21; and, he was identified as the gunman. After one witness walked out of Unit #21, he admitted Artica was in the same unit. Artica eventually walked out of that unit with his hands up, and was arrested immediately.
Ms. Lacome was found in Unit #5, alive with a gunshot wound to her head. She was taken to St. Vincent Family Health Center, but later died of her injuries.
Artica has a long criminal history, to include charges of theft, drug and alcohol use, domestic violence and assault. He was on parole from the Colo. Dept. of Corrections when he murdered Ms. Lacome.
“I would like to thank the efforts of the Leadville Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for their quick response to the scene and solid investigation. Our thoughts are with Ms. Lacome’s family and friends, and we hope that today’s sentencing begins to help heal their grief for this overwhelming loss,” said Heidi McCollum, 5th Judicial District Attorney.
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