The court followed a plea agreement and deferred proceedings for 22‑year‑old Gerson Santa Maria Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to the first‑degree felony offense of aggravated robbery. The court imposed a 10‑year deferred probation, ordered a $1,000 fine and mandated successful completion of the ISF cognitive track and GED enrollment.

Why it matters: The deferred disposition preserves Mendoza’s ability to avoid a felony conviction if he complies with the court‑ordered conditions, including treatment and education requirements. The court emphasized age and rehabilitative opportunity when imposing the ISF placement.

At the hearing, the judge noted Mendoza’s withdrawal from school and stated the ISF program is intended to help him make better decisions. "If you do everything you're supposed to on this probation and you successfully complete it, this is a great opportunity because you don't have a conviction for a felony on your record," the judge told Mendoza.

Court action: The court accepted the plea, deferred adjudication for 10 years, ordered payment of a $1,000 fine, required completion of ISF and enrollment in a GED program within 45 days of release from ISF, and signed the trial‑court certification waiving the right to appeal should defendant complete the agreement. The judge instructed probation to consider starting GED coursework while Mendoza is in ISF if the program permits.

The defendant was given written admonishments and informed of the consequences of violating probation, which could lead to conviction and exposure to the full statutory punishment range for aggravated robbery.