
Jonathan Lewis Jr
4 Las Vegas Teens Plead Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Jonathan Lewis Jr Death
By CC News Network
Las Vegas, NV, — 4 Las Vegas teenagers pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court for their role in the brutal beating death of their classmate, Jonathan Lewis Jr.
Lewis, 17, died on November 7, 2023, from injuries sustained after he was kicked, punched, and stomped by a group of students in an alley near Rancho High School on November 1. The assault, which was captured on video and widely shared online, involved approximately 10-15 students.
The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over “stolen wireless headphones and possibly a marijuana vape pen” belonging to a friend of Jonathan’s. Lewis had initially not planned to participate in the altercation but went to the alley with his friend after the two agreed to meet the bullies there. Jonathan was swarmed by the group, pushed to the ground, and assaulted. Video footage of the attack shows him being attacked by multiple individuals before he was found unconscious and rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors determined he had suffered “nonsurvivable head trauma,” and six days later, he was declared brain dead.

Nine juveniles were taken into custody, facing murder charges, with ages ranging from 13 to 17. Initially, four teenagers—ages 16 and 17—were scheduled to be tried as adults, but in January 2024, a 15-year-old pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was committed to Child Correctional Services. In February, two additional defendants under 16, including a 13-year-old, also pled guilty.
If these were adults in Nevada, voluntary manslaughter has specific penalties:
Voluntary Manslaughter:
- Definition: The intentional killing of another person in the heat of passion or during a sudden quarrel, without premeditation. This would qualify for this killing.
- Penalty: Classified as a Category B felony, it carries a prison sentence ranging from 1 to 10 years and may include fines up to $10,000.
On August 2, 2024, the District Attorney allowed the four older teens to plead guilty to manslaughter in juvenile court as part of a plea deal, contingent on all accepting the agreement. If any had refused, they would have faced adult charges. The teens are now facing an undetermined length of time in juvenile detention, with release contingent on rehabilitation programs.
Jonathan’s mother, Mellisa Ready, criticized the plea deal, claiming she was not notified beforehand and stating, “You cannot jump on a human being’s head, stomp on him, and think that they’re going to remain alive after. They knew he was going to die, and that’s how I feel – and they’re letting them get away with murder.” She added, “There is no justice for my son Jonathan Lewis, that was stomped to death and murdered while 20 people stood there and did nothing more than film it and broadcast it to social media.”

The four teens involved, whose identities have not been released due to their minor status, were part of a mob that attacked Jonathan, who was described by his father as a “loving, giving, kind, fierce young man who loved community and caring for others.” Jonathan had aspirations to become an artist and was considering joining the military, following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
In a statement, the attorney for Damien Hernandez, one of the teens who pleaded guilty, said, “Though not one of the major participants, Damien deeply regrets his participation in the melee which resulted in Jonathan’s tragic death. He accepts full responsibility and will accept whatever punishment is meted out.”
As the anniversary of Jonathan’s death just passed, Jonathan’s sister shared a poignant message with CC News Network on our TikTok page: “My brother’s passing was November 1st, and it seems the world has forgotten about the type of monsters that walk amongst us. Jonathan Lewis Jr. was stomped to death by 10-15 classmates in a fight after school. The prosecution found a way to defend them, and they essentially walked away with a slap on the wrist. But we need help shining a light on those monsters so they don’t move through life forgetting what they did. Please consider talking about my brother on your page.”

The CC News Network has become a trusted platform where many individuals, often silenced or overlooked, come forward to share their stories. As a journalist, author, and investigator, James Seidel has built a reputation for integrity and empathy, creating an environment where people feel safe revealing deeply personal or controversial accounts.
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This ongoing relationship with sources has reinforced CC News Network’s mission: to advocate for truth, justice, and transparency. The platform’s ability to connect with its audience and subjects on a human level is what sets it apart and continues to build its reputation as a trusted name in investigative journalism.
The case continues to spark outrage, as Jonathan’s family demands accountability for his death and struggles to cope with the loss of a son, brother, and friend who was known for his kind spirit and artistic talent.
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