Chicago Man Sentenced to 65 Years for Murdering Father in Front of Family
Justin Cortes, a 29-year-old convicted felon and known gang member, was sentenced to 65 years in prison on Monday for the murder of 38-year-old Angel Figueroa in Humboldt Park. Cortes, who was on parole for a previous home invasion at the time of the murder, was found guilty of murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm in October 2023.
The tragic incident occurred on August 6, 2021, when Figueroa was riding in a van with his girlfriend and their daughter. Cortes pulled up next to them in a silver Santa Fe and fired a single shot, fatally striking Figueroa in the face. Figueroa’s girlfriend witnessed the shooting and saw Cortes fleeing the scene.
Law enforcement officials were able to identify Cortes as the shooter using surveillance footage from a nearby smoke shop. Cortes’ phone location data also placed him near the crime scene at the time of the murder.
Judge Thomas Byrne handed down a 65-year sentence to Cortes, including 35 years for the murder, a 25-year enhancement for personally firing the fatal shot, and an additional five years for aggravated discharge. Cortes will be required to serve the full 100% of the murder sentence under state law.
Prior to the murder, Cortes had been indicted on gun and drug charges after authorities found illegal substances and a firearm in his possession. Despite the serious charges, Cortes was not held in custody, and two months later, he took the life of Angel Figueroa.
In a separate case, Cortes pleaded guilty to drug possession and received a three-year sentence in July 2023.
