Alvaro Alvarado-Amarias takes his music very seriously, according to a guilty plea he entered in Denver District Court today.
When a guitar player in his rising mariachi trio, Fidel Berrelleza Y Sus Toros De La Sierra, said he wanted to quit the band, Amarias pistol-whipped him and held him hostage at gunpoint for five hours, including squeezing off a few warning shots, according to court documents of the incident. The incident happened Jan. 5 at a home at 3743 North Inca St., according to court records. The band mate, Ervey Ruiz, 52, called police the next morning after he got away.
Amarias, 32, goes by the stage name Fidel Berrelleza His group’s music is sold on Yahoo Music, and other download sites.
He pleaded guilty in Denver District Court today to felony menacing.
The plea agreement led the Denver District Attorney’s office to drop assault and false imprisonment charges.
Even with the plea, Amarias faces up to three years in jail at his May 13 sentencing.
