Indio Woman's Murder Leads To Lengthy Prison Sentence For Her Killer

INDIO, CA — A probationer who gunned down an Indio woman without ever giving a clear reason why was sentenced Tuesday to 55 years to life in state prison.

Johnny Jose Rodriguez, 32, of Indio pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to second-degree murder, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. No charges were dismissed under the plea bargain.

During a hearing Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester imposed the sentence required under state law.

The defendant fatally shot 32-year-old Angela Struzas inside her home at 38555 Rancho Los Coyotes Drive, near Avenue 38, on Jan. 14, 2020.

During a preliminary hearing later that year, Indio Police Department Detective Kelly Hawkins testified that officers were taken aback when they entered the victim's room to collect evidence.

"She was just drenched in blood, in a pool of blood," the detective said.

Detective Matthew Gutting said Rodriguez immediately admitted perpetrating the shooting while being questioned by investigators, saying "I'm a good aim."

Gutting said the defendant described firing a bullet into Struzas' arm with a gun that he claimed at the time was handed to him minutes earlier by the woman's housemate, who allegedly told Rodriguez to "get her."

A second shot killed the victim.

The defendant would not specify what led to the attack. The housemate, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested alongside Rodriguez, but detectives ultimately determined the party had no part in the deadly attack.

The defendant underwent medical examinations to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial, leading to a brief round of psychiatric treatment before criminal proceedings resumed.

He had a prior conviction for possession of controlled substances for sale.