On a cold February evening in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the life of 18-year-old Federico Abarca, a Hispanic male, was tragically cut short. A senior at Preble High School, Abarca was known for his friendly demeanor and was an accomplished student-athlete, excelling in basketball, football, and track and field. He was looking forward to his graduation in June of 2019.
The events leading to his death on February 22, 2019, began with a transaction arranged on the social media platform Snapchat.
Gavin Rock, one of four individuals involved, set up what Abarca believed to be a drug deal. The plan, however, was a premeditated armed robbery. The four men intended to steal five vaping cartridges containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, from Abarca at his apartment on the city's east side.
During the course of the robbery, a dispute arose, and Jared Williquette, who was armed with a gun, shot Abarca in the chest. Following an investigation by the Green Bay Police, four suspects were arrested in connection with the homicide: Jared Williquette, Colton Kehoe, Jarid Stevens, and Gavin Rock.
All four men were subsequently convicted for their roles in the death of Federico Abarca. Jared Williquette, the shooter, and Colton Kehoe were each sentenced to 18 years in prison. Gavin Rock, who arranged the supposed drug deal, received a 12-year sentence. The final suspect, Jarid Stevens, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the fatal armed robbery. The convictions brought a measure of justice to Abarca's grieving family and community, who remembered him as a special person with a bright future.
