Parole granted for inmate in 2008 street racing death

UTAH STATE PRISON — When Daniel Junior Maestas was 13 he didn't just join a gang, he started his own.

Although at first it was just neighborhood friends getting together, Maestas said it definitely transformed into a gang later.

Then on Feb. 21, 2008, after a night of drinking while celebrating a friend's birthday, Maestas and others decided to drag race. Maestas crashed near 4700 South and 4000 West. George Tuiasoa, 26, was thrown from the passenger seat and killed. Maestas was convicted of automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, and sentenced to one to 15 years at the Utah State Prison.

At the same time, he was also wanted on a federal probation violation for a firearms case. While in prison, Maestas was involved in an assault that resulted in him being put in maximum security.

But today, at 46, Maestas says he is over the gang lifestyle. He recognizes that his legacy includes the creation of a gang that is still active today, but says he no longer wants to be involved with it.

"I made some stupid mistakes in life. And this is one I’m going to live with the rest of my life. It’s time to hang this stuff up. I’m done. I’m tired. I don’t want to do this no more,” he said in a recording of his parole hearing held earlier this month.

During his parole hearing, a large number of family members were in attendance for support.

Also in attendance was Kauata Bloomfield, Tuiasoa's sister. But rather than plead for more prison time, Bloomfield asked the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to release the man convicted of her brother's death.

"We are proud of everything that he has done to try and turn himself around,” she said. "We come in support of the release of Daniel."

The parole board announced this week that it granted parole to Maestas and he will be released June 27, though he still has a federal detainer on him and will have to complete that sentence, expected to be about 18 months.

Both Maestas and Bloomfield were in tears as she recalled the night Maestas came to her house to pick up her brother.

"He loved Daniel just like a brother. And we feel that the nine years that he has served here is more than sufficient. George would have never wanted him to be incarcerated,” she said. "George’s belief was to always forgive, no matter what. He believed, as we believe, that people make choices. And the choice that Daniel made, he will have to live with for the rest of his life. And I’m so sorry, Daniel. I can’t even imagine. I’m sure that night plays in your mind every night, just like it does for us."

Maestas, who today has George's name tattooed on both his face and across his back, told board member Chyleen Arbon that he was so drunk that night that he initially couldn't even remember if he was the one behind the wheel. Police estimated he was traveling 100 mph when he crashed. Three others were also charged in connection with the incident.

"I don’t even know how the racing started. We just started racing,” he said. "We drank too much, and I messed up and got behind the wheel of a car."

But since being in prison, Maestas has earned his high school diploma and completed several life skills classes, including twice completing an anger management class.

Maestas, who was well-spoken at his parole hearing, admitted that his skills as a leader helped him organize a gang. Now, he wants to use those same leadership skills to help others avoid the same path he did.

"It's time to hang this up," he said. "I just want to make this change. I don’t want to live this life no more."

After Bloomfield spoke, Arbon noted that it was rare when a victim's family member asks the board to release an inmate.

"You are a fortunate man. It doesn’t always go this way," she told Maestas. "You’ve got everyone on your side. And you’ve got a lot of ability that you could put to really good use in this world."

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