Teen hit with felony charges

By BOB GIBBINS
Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS November 17, 2008 10:27 am

— Cherokee County prosecutors charged a Park Hill teenager Friday afternoon as a youthful offender with two felonies and a misdemeanor stemming from a Oct. 27 shooting incident.
Freddy Castillo, 17, was formally charged with shooting with intent to kill, use of a vehicle in discharge of a weapon and violation of a protective order.
Castillo is in the Cherokee County Detention Center after being arrested in Houston, Texas, for allegedly shooting Amanda Goins in the face with a shotgun. Birdshot pellets caused serious damage to the victim’s face and eyes.
The shooting with intent to kill count alleges he shot the victim at close range with the intent to kill her.
The shooting occurred near Grand View School, while Castillo and Goins were in separate vehicles. The charge is punishable by imprisonment for up to life.
The count of use of a vehicle in discharge of a weapon alleges Castillo shot the victim from a 1990 Mercury that had run her off the road and in which he was a passenger.
The charge carries a possible penalty of two to 20 years.
The third count alleges Castillo violated a protective order issued in Cherokee County and served on Castillo on Oct. 20.
It carries a possible penalty of a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Castillo allegedly fled to Houston after the shooting. He was arrested by Houston police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents.
Associate District Judge Mark Dobbins has set Castillo’s bond at $100,000.