Phoenix, Arizona – Two of the teenage defendants linked to the Gilbert Goons group violence cases were slated to appear in court on Thursday. 18-year-old Christopher Fantastic faces charges of assault and robbery stemming from an incident outside of an In-N-Out in Gilbert in August 2023. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell disclosed that Fantastic was indicted in January 2024 on charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault for allegedly attacking another teen who was lying on the ground.
Another 18-year-old defendant, Aris Arredondo, also faced indictment on charges of aggravated robbery and assault in connection to the same incident, as reported by Mitchell. The victim’s father revealed that his son had been sent to the emergency room following the attack, prompting the decision to send him abroad to live with his mother due to safety concerns.
The court appearances on Thursday come after an announcement involving three other defendants related to the Gilbert Goons group violence cases, namely Jacob Pennington, Deleon Hayes, and Garrett Bagshaw, who all entered plea deals for their participation in the violence. Despite the plea deals, Mitchell emphasized that the cases are still being taken seriously and accountability is being upheld.
Mitchell clarified that none of these defendants were implicated in the Preston Lord death in Queen Creek. She noted that plea deals can be advantageous in obtaining convictions against other individuals involved in cases with multiple defendants, emphasizing the importance of securing justice in such matters.
The scheduled court proceedings mark another step in the legal process for the defendants connected to the Gilbert Goons group violence cases, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to address and prosecute such incidents. As the legal proceedings continue, the community is keen on seeing accountability upheld and justice served in the aftermath of the disturbing violence that occurred.