A Broward County judge officially sentenced Jason Banegas to life in prison without the possibility of parole this Wednesday, following his conviction for the murder of 28-year-old Cuban-American police officer Yandy Chirino in Hollywood, Florida. Banegas was only 18 years old at the time of the crime.
The Miami Herald reported that Judge Ernest Kollra of the Broward Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale handed down the sentence, aligning with the recommendation of a 12-member jury. This jury had deliberated for less than two hours in December before rejecting the death penalty.
At 23 years old now, Banegas fatally shot Chirino during a confrontation in Hollywood's Emerald Hills neighborhood on October 17, 2021.
Confrontation and Tragic Outcome
Prosecutors stated that Chirino, who had served four years with the Hollywood Police Department, approached Banegas after spotting him on a bicycle, checking for unlocked cars in the 4000 block of North Hills Drive, and attempted to arrest him.
During the encounter, the officer was shot twice in the face and rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries hours later.
Although it was Chirino's day off, he was covering an extra shift. Banegas, meanwhile, had recently been released from a "high-risk" detention center and had a criminal history dating back to age 12.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Following his arrest, Banegas admitted to burglarizing cars and claimed to detectives that he fired the weapon during a failed suicide attempt, not with the intent to kill the officer.
During the trial, the prosecution argued for the death sentence, asserting that Banegas intentionally targeted a law enforcement officer.
Defense attorney Lien Lafargue appealed to the jury for mercy, citing Banegas' troubled childhood, which was fraught with abuse, neglect, and violence.
In a surprising turn during jury selection in October 2025, Banegas pleaded guilty to all ten charges against him, including first-degree murder with a firearm.
In January 2026, he sought to retract his plea, alleging his lawyers pressured him by claiming his family would face deportation and he would be executed within five years.
Judge Kollra denied this request on Thursday, April 3, after more than two hours of testimony.
On Wednesday, in addition to the life sentence for murder, Banegas received an extra 40 years for a series of car thefts.
Neither Banegas nor the relatives and supporters of Chirino—who filled the courtroom—spoke during the brief sentencing hearing.
The Legacy of Officer Yandy Chirino
Born in Havana, Chirino came to the United States as a child and became a U.S. citizen at the age of 10. He joined the Hollywood Police Department in 2017 and was named "Officer of the Month" in June 2020.
At his funeral on November 1, 2021, held at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise and attended by thousands, his sister Yaily Chirino encapsulated his legacy: "He died doing what he loved: helping people."
Frequently Asked Questions About the Case
Who was Officer Yandy Chirino?
Officer Yandy Chirino was a Cuban-American police officer who served with the Hollywood Police Department. He was recognized for his dedication and named "Officer of the Month" in June 2020.
What led to Jason Banegas receiving a life sentence?
Jason Banegas was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Officer Yandy Chirino. The decision followed a jury's recommendation and considered Banegas' criminal history and the circumstances of the crime.
What was the defense's argument during the trial?
The defense argued for leniency, highlighting Banegas' difficult upbringing marked by abuse and neglect, and contended that his actions were not premeditated.