(ABC 6 News) – Ben Vidal Moreno was sentenced to separate 25.5-year and 14-year sentences for an Albert Lea murder.

Moreno was convicted in March on two charges of 2nd-degree murder — without intent, one charge of 2nd-degree murder — while committing a felony, as well as two counts of felon in possession of a firearm following the death of Juan Vasquez Jr., 45, on 160th Street in rural Albert Lea.

On Thursday, May 30, Moreno was sentenced to 306 months, or 25.5 years, for one charge of 2nd-degree murder, and a consecutive sentence of 173 months, or about 14 years, for the other 2nd-degree murder charge.

That means Moreno will serve the sentences one after another, for a total of about 39 years in the MN Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, unless he receives probation.

Moreno received credit for 659 days spent in custody since his arrest.

During his sentencing hearing, Moreno apologized to Vasquez Jr.’s family, as well as his own.

“I take full accountability for my actions,” he told the court. “All the drugs had a big role in everything that happened. … I just want to try and help other people get off drugs before something like this. I just pray God (has) mercy on me.”

Freeborn County judge Christy Hormann called the murder a “tragic case,” saying Vasquez’s death was avoidable.

“There were steps that you could have taken to avoid taking a life, ending up in the position that you are in, having the effect on Mr. Vasquez’s family, your family, and all those that were involved,” she said.

Moreno was also sentenced to 60 months for one conviction of felon in possession of a firearm, but that sentence is consecutive with one of the murder sentences — meaning they will be served simultaneously.

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(ABC 6 News) – A Freeborn County jury found Ben Vidal Moreno guilty of all charges, including three counts of 2nd-degree murder.

According to court documents, Moreno was convicted Tuesday on two charges of 2nd-degree murder — without intent, one charge of 2nd-degree murder — while committing a felony, as well as two counts of felon in possession of a firearm following the death of Juan Vasquez Jr., 45, on 160th Street in rural Albert Lea.

His sentencing is scheduled for May 30.

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(ABC 6 News) – An Albert Lea man’s 2nd-degree murder trial began Monday morning, March 4.

Ben Vidal Moreno faces two charges of 2nd-degree murder — without intent, one charge of 2nd-degree murder — while committing a felony, as well as two counts of felon in possession of a firearm following the death of Juan Vasquez Jr., 45, on 160th Street in rural Albert Lea.

RELATED: UPDATE: Moreno now faces three counts of 2nd-degree murder – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

Witnesses to the altercation Aug. 9 that ended in Vasquez’s death told law enforcement officers that Moreno and Vasquez had argued and exchanged death threats over a package that Vasquez thought Moreno had diverted, rather than sending to him.

According to early court documents, witnesses said both Vasquez and Moreno were armed, and multiple rounds were fired by each in the hour before the fatal shooting.

RELATED: UPDATE: Homicide suspect in Albert Lea shooting arrested – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

However, the amended criminal complaint submitted by the state alleges that in late August of 2022, Moreno was overheard telling another person over the phone that he did not know Vasquez had a weapon.