WINFIELD — Shootings that injured two people this spring have an Ark City man facing up to eight years in prison after he entered guilty pleas Monday in Cowley County District Court.
Fernando Jesus Rodriguez, 22, appeared in person before Chief Judge Nick St. Peter and admitted to the charges. He pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery, both felonies, with one charge classified as severity level 4 and the other as severity level 5, and acknowledged that he was waiving his right to a trial.
Rodriguez remains in custody at the Cowley County Jail while awaiting sentencing, scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 15 in Winfield.
Cowley County Attorney Larry Schwartz has recommended consecutive sentences totaling 96 months. Defense attorney Kurt Kearns will be allowed to argue for probation under terms of the plea deal. Rodriguez’s prior criminal history will be a factor in determining the final sentence under state guidelines.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez went to two separate Winfield homes on May 28, 2025, and shot two men — one at each location. Investigators said the shootings were unrelated and occurred hours apart.
Both victims were struck with a .22-caliber firearm. One was hit in the leg; the other was struck in the head, with the bullet ricocheting into his shoulder. Schwartz said both men have since made full recoveries.
Rodriguez was arrested the following morning and has remained jailed since May 29. As part of the plea agreement, other charges — including attempted first-degree murder — were dropped.
Court records show Rodriguez has a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Cowley County. He served less than a year in prison and was under parole supervision until April 2024.
