Man pleads guilty in February killing of 24-year-old

A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday for his role in a February slaying in the northeast valley.

Colton Dakota Brantano faces between 10 and 25 years in prison for one count of second-degree murder, plus an additional three to seven years for use of a deadly weapon.

Authorities said 24-year-old Tyler Louis White was killed Feb. 23 after a quarrel over painkillers.

As part of Brantano’s deal, prosecutors are expected to drop a charge of accessory to murder against his co-defendant, Sherri Lee Esquibel.

White was shot and killed outside Nellis Suites, 4555 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

According to Brantano’s arrest report, the shooting stemmed from a failed drug deal. White had arranged to buy Lortab for Brantano, police said.

The deal went awry, and Brantano began shooting, hitting three cars and a stucco pillar before shooting White at least twice.

Brantano told police he had given White money to buy Lortab and that White was “ripping him off,” his arrest report said.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find @randompoker on Twitter.