Daryle Williams 18-year-old admits punching MGM security guard

A defendant pleaded guilty to a felony Tuesday rather than face trial this week for punching an MGM Grand security guard during an Easter weekend crime spree involving about 20 teens.

Daryle Williams, 18, will face a sentence of one to five years, or probation, after he pleaded guilty to one count of battery with substantial bodily harm for punching MGM security guard Emilio Rosales.

Portions of the April 15 attacks at MGM Grand, which were carried out by about 20 teens, were captured on surveillance video and broadcast repeatedly on news programs. Members of the group were accused of committing other crimes during the weekend.

Williams' attorney, Jonathan MacArthur, had wanted his client to go to trial in an effort to escape being branded a felon.

On Tuesday, MacArthur emphasized that Williams was not part of the mob that attacked MGM landscaper Richard Markwell on the well-publicized video. After the attack, Williams turned himself in and showed police who he was on the video, MacArthur said.

Williams' mother, Tiffany Duron, said her son is very sorry for what happened.

"For him to do what he did, he had to pay the price. ... My deepest apologies go to the family," she said.

Williams' sister, Desiree Duron, 22, said peer pressure led to Williams' involvement.

"He's a good kid," she said.

Williams, who was set to graduate from Mojave High School before being arrested, was on the school's basketball team.

"This boy had scholarships going for him," his mother added.

Prosecutor Victoria Villegas said she was happy to have all four of the teenagers set to go to trial this week in connection with the Easter weekend crime spree take guilty pleas.

On Monday, As'Ryen Brown, 18; Demarcus Smith, 19; and Avery Slocome, 19, each pleaded guilty to one count of felony battery in connection with the attack on Markwell, 24.

They each face one to five years in prison or probation.

The last two suspects accused of participating in the crime spree, Jamar Rice, 18, and Dexter Smith, who is Demarcus Smith's brother, are scheduled to go to trial in January. They were booked into the juvenile detention center, but will stand trial as adults on eight felony charges and one gross misdemeanor count.

Markwell has watched the case in court since April and spoke out Tuesday after Williams' plea.

Markwell played baseball in college, but because of damage to his right arm, he said, "I can no longer throw a baseball."

"I can't lift anything over five pounds," said Markwell, who is right-handed.

He said he is still employed at MGM, and the attack "is still a part of my life every single day."

Markwell said, "Obviously, I'd like to see him (Williams) get more, but I think it's fair considering what happened."

Markwell said he won't be happy if the defendants receive probation.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to argue for stronger sentences.

MacArthur said Williams was frightened as the mob's violence escalated. He is seen on the video taking his keys from a lanyard around his neck and running to the parking lot. Williams ran into Rosales and feared the security guard would prevent him from fleeing, so he hit him, MacArthur said.

He said his client took the deal because, as the sole defendant, "he was afraid of what an angry public would do to him if he tried to litigate."

MacArthur had hoped a jury would have rewarded Williams for his honesty and convicted him only of gross misdemeanors. Williams was charged with three felonies and two gross misdemeanors.

On Monday, Williams' bail was reduced from $225,000 to $5,000. He is expected to make bail and be out of custody during his sentencing next month.

MacArthur and other defense attorneys in the case have claimed the district attorney sought harsher charges against their clients and treated them differently because of where the crime occurred. The defense attorneys compared the case to the 311 Boyz, a gang of white upper-class teenagers accused of nearly killing another teen by throwing rocks at him.

The majority of that gang were on house arrest while their cases progressed through the court. In 2004, the majority of them pleaded guilty to a battery felony which would have allowed them to do probation. But District Judge Michael Cherry sentenced four of them to a year in the Clark County Detention Center.

MacArthur said he was certain the high-profile MGM case cost Las Vegas tourism dollars, and he noted District Attorney David Roger received more than $30,000 from MGM properties during his last campaign.

MacArthur credited the donations and location of the attacks for prosecutors' failing to offer a better deal during negotiations.

Roger denied there was any special treatment in the case. He also said his office had argued against allowing the 311 Boyz out on house arrest.

"We treat each case and each defendant separately," Roger said. "We base our decisions on how to handle a case based upon the facts, not based upon their status in the community."