Puna Man Sentenced to 20 Years for 2019 Shooting Death

A 39-year-old Puna man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 2019 shooting that killed a 38-year-old man.

Ryan Davis shot John Santos of Puna at Davis’ Plumeria Street residence in Mountain View, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen’s office stated Friday, Aug. 5.

On May 9, Davis pleaded guilty to the offenses of manslaughter and carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. Both are class A felonies and carry a maximum penalty of a 20-year prison term.

Davis, who has been in custody throughout the duration of these criminal proceedings
following his March 19, 2019 arrest, was sentenced to 20-year terms for both offenses.

“The state hopes that yesterday’s sentencing affords the family and friends of Joshua Santos some closure and hopefully a little sense that justice was served and that Josh will never be
forgotten,” Waltjen stated in a news release Friday. “Our office will continue its ongoing efforts to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions with the goal of deterring future crime and making our community a safer place.”