PRINCETON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Mercer County man has been sentenced in connection with a violent robbery that resulted in a fatality, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecuting Attorney David Pfeifer announced that Brendon Lopez, of Princeton, was sentenced on April 2, 2026, in Mercer County Circuit Court for his role in the death of Shailleshbhai Patel.
Authorities said Lopez was initially transferred to adult jurisdiction and later indicted by a Mercer County Grand Jury on charges of first-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy.
The charges stemmed from an incident on or about June 8, 2024, in Mercer County, during which Lopez participated in a robbery involving the use or threat of deadly force. During that incident, Patel sustained fatal injuries.
At sentencing, the court imposed a term of 25 years in prison for second-degree murder, a lesser included offense of the original first-degree murder charge.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Lopez will remain in the custody of the Bureau of Juvenile Services until he turns 18, at which time he will be transferred to the West Virginia Division of Corrections to serve the remainder of his sentence.
“This was an extremely serious and violent offense that resulted in the loss of life,” Pfeifer said.
“While the defendant’s age was considered, the nature of this crime required that he be held accountable in adult court. This office will continue to pursue justice in cases involving violent crime and stand with victims and their families.”
The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office also extended condolences to the family of Shailleshbhai Patel.
