Charles Aguilar murder of Roberta Goforth

Charles Raymond Aguilar pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the July 2004 shooting death of Roberta Goforth in Traskwood, Arkansas.

Goforth, 54, was speaking on the phone with her sister when the shooting occurred. Her sister contacted authorities after hearing the incident. Police said Goforth died from a gunshot wound to the arm.

Investigators arrested Aguilar, then 30 years old, along with his father, Carlos Raymond Aguilar, 54, shortly after the killing. An affidavit stated that each man blamed the shooting on the other. Both were initially held in the county jail on $1 million bonds.

Police also arrested Toshia Kenner, 24, and charged her with hindering apprehension or prosecution and filing a false report of wrongdoing in connection with the case.

Court records show Goforth had prior contact with law enforcement involving the Aguilars. In May 2004, she filed a report with the Traskwood Police Department stating that the Aguilars had threatened her. She also told investigators she owed Carlos Aguilar $450 to $500 for marijuana.

Charles Aguilar later told authorities he accidentally shot Goforth after his father handed him a loaded and cocked .22-caliber handgun. He ultimately accepted responsibility through a guilty plea to first-degree murder.

The court sentenced Aguilar to life in prison. He entered the Arkansas prison system on November 16, 2004, and is currently housed at the Cummins Unit.

Aguilar, 51, is serving a life sentence with no scheduled release date.