Ogden man sent to prison for murder in 2015 shooting

OGDEN — An Ogden man has been sentenced to at least 16 years in prison for gunning down a man in a neighborhood.

Andrew Dominic Esquer, 32, was ordered May 17 to serve at least 15 years and up to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony, in the death of William Patrick Hicks, 32. An additional year was added to the sentence for a weapons enhancement.

An additional term of one to 15 years for obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, will run concurrently.

A jury found Esquer guilty of both charges on March 27.

According to a police affidavit, Esquer and Hicks got into an argument near the 28th block of Childs Avenue on July 6, 2015, "over a prior theft allegation."

When Hicks "disrespected him," Esquer told police he fired a sawed-off shotgun, killing him, the affidavit says.

Esquer fled the scene of the shooting, hiding the gun and a bag with ammunition in it in a home's plumbing access, according to the affidavit.

At the time of his arrest, Esquer did not have a significant criminal history in Utah.

In the three years leading up to his death, Hicks pleaded guilty to misdemeanors, including possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and interfering with an arresting officer, according to court records.

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