Miami, Florida — A former Miami high school football standout who once earned a full college scholarship has been sentenced to 13 years in state prison for his role in the 2020 shooting of a Miami police officer, bringing one chapter of a years-long criminal case to a close.
The sentence follows Wilkhari Jones’ guilty plea to multiple felony charges stemming from the ambush-style attack on Officer Erica Socarras, who narrowly escaped injury during the incident.
Former Football Player Receives 13-Year Prison Sentence
On Thursday, Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Laura Gonzalez-Marques sentenced 25-year-old Wilkhari Jones to 13 years in state prison, followed by three years of probation.
The judge also ordered Jones to have no contact with Officer Erica Socarras after his release.
During the sentencing hearing, Gonzalez-Marques addressed Jones directly, acknowledging his age while encouraging him to use his prison sentence as an opportunity for change.
She told him she hoped he would reflect on his actions and emerge from prison as a different person after endangering a law enforcement officer.
Guilty Plea Ended Lengthy Criminal Case
Jones pleaded guilty to several serious felony offenses, including:
- First-degree attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon
- Throwing a deadly missile
- Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Solicitation to commit murder
The charges stemmed from the April 24, 2020, shooting in Miami’s Brownsville neighborhood during an encounter involving Officer Erica Socarras.
At the time, Socarras was working as a tactical robbery unit detective and was driving an unmarked Dodge Charger.
Although gunfire struck her equipment, she was not physically injured. Police said one bullet hit the Taser attached to her duty belt, likely preventing far more serious consequences.
Officer Says Case Finally Has Closure
Following the sentencing, Miami Police Deputy Chief Albert “Al” Guerra praised Socarras for her bravery throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
He described her as an “incredibly courageous” and highly successful officer who remained resilient despite the traumatic experience.
According to Guerra, he asked Socarras whether she believed the sentence was appropriate.
She reportedly responded that the punishment was adequate and said she was simply relieved that the case had finally reached its conclusion after several years.
Co-Defendant Previously Received Longer Sentence
Jones was not the only person prosecuted in connection with the shooting.
Earlier this year, co-defendant Antranard Womble was sentenced to 15 years in prison after authorities identified him as the individual who fired at Officer Socarras during the incident.
Jones’ defense attorney, Mayra Trinchet, argued in court filings that Jones was not armed during the shooting and was not identified as one of the people who fired a weapon.
Those arguments were included as part of the defense’s mitigation efforts before sentencing.
Additional Cases Still Pending
Court records show Jones had once been considered a promising athlete after playing football at Miami Edison Senior High School and earning a full scholarship to Florida Memorial University before his arrest.
He has remained in custody without bond since Aug. 20, 2020.
In addition to the resolved shooting case, court and inmate records indicate Jones currently faces two separate pending cases involving allegations of battery by a detainee upon a visitor or another detainee. Those matters remain unresolved.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe prior achievements should be considered during sentencing, or should courts focus solely on the crime committed? Share your opinion in the comments below.
