Prison corridor with jail cells

An Orlando man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a fatal drug-related shooting that occurred at a local shopping plaza in 2022.

On Thursday, October 31, 2024, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced 32-year-old Cristian Ponce to two decades behind bars for his involvement in a shooting incident that occurred at the Oak Ridge Shopping Plaza in Orlando on November 2, 2022.

Ponce had pleaded guilty on February 13, 2024.

According to court records, on the day of the shooting, Ponce and an individual referred to as “S.H.” arrived at the shopping plaza in a gray SUV to “sell drugs to addicts who congregated there.” Ponce and S.H. had cocaine and fentanyl that was packaged for individual sale, along with two loaded firearms, in their vehicle.

Video surveillance footage showed that when the SUV arrived in the plaza, an individual approached the front passenger side of the vehicle. Ponce then gave this individual a “small bag of cocaine.”

Moments later, an individual referred to as “E.E.” and another associate approached the SUV, and gunshots were fired into and from the vehicle.

During the incident, E.E. was shot and fell to the ground after running a short distance. Inside the SUV, S.H. had also sustained a gunshot wound.

After shots were fired, the SUV “reversed uncontrollably” before rolling over and crashing in the rear of the plaza. Ponce helped S.H. exit the SUV before he fled from the area.

Both E.E. and S.H. died from wounds sustained in the shooting.

Law enforcement determined that the confrontation at the shopping plaza was an “alleged turf battle” over who could sell drugs there.

During the following week, Ponce continued to sell drugs. On November 8, 2022, law enforcement observed multiple vehicles and individuals visiting Ponce’s home for short periods of time, which was “consistent with drug dealing.” Additionally, he sent and received text messages regarding his “drug business.”

Three days later, on November 11, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ponce’s home. As officers approached the home, they spotted Ponce and another man, identified as Rodney Hernandez, inside a vehicle that was parked in the driveway.

Inside the vehicle, officers found two loaded firearms and cocaine that was packaged for individual sale.

Hernandez previously pleaded guilty for his involvement in the case, and he was sentenced in June 2024 to seven years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Stoia.

In addition, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

Earlier this month, a 54-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his wife at an Orlando shopping plaza.