Teen Killers Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Intentional Murder of Retired Police Chief

In a somber conclusion to a shocking case that captured national attention, Jesus Ayala and Jzamir Keys were sentenced to decades behind bars for the senseless murder of retired California police chief Andreas “Andy” Probst. The incident, which occurred in August 2023 on a residential Las Vegas street, involved the teens deliberately striking the 64-year-old retired officer from behind while he rode his bicycle. District Judge Jacqueline Bluth delivered the severe sentences after both young men pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and battery with a deadly weapon. Ayala, who was 17 at the time of the crime and was driving the vehicle, received 20 years to life plus an additional two to 10 years for battery. Keys, who was 16 and filmed the horrific event, was sentenced to 18 years to life. “There is no excuse for what you two have done and the damage and pain that you have caused,” Judge Bluth stated firmly during the sentencing, reflecting the gravity of their actions.

The brutal crime was part of a larger spree that began when the teens stole a Hyundai Elantra, which they used to first strike a 72-year-old cyclist who fortunately survived the attack. Keys recorded the entire incident on video, capturing their disturbing laughter and planning as they targeted Probst. The footage, which later went viral, chillingly documented one of them saying “hit his ass” moments before they deliberately rammed into the unsuspecting retiree. After killing Probst, they fled the scene and crashed into a Toyota Corolla. Perhaps most disturbing was Ayala’s attitude following his arrest, when he brazenly told police: “You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? I’ll be out in 30 days, I’ll bet you. It’s just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run — slap on the wrist.” This callous statement stood in stark contrast to the life sentence he would ultimately receive.

The emotional impact of this crime was powerfully expressed by Probst’s family during the sentencing. His widow, Crystal Probst, delivered heartbreaking testimony about how the teens “stole the future we earned, moment by moment and year by year.” She described waking up to a life she no longer recognizes, stating that “the pain they caused does not fade; it grows.” The raw emotion continued with statements from the Probsts’ son, Michael, who described how his “heart was just ripped and torn into pieces” upon learning of his father’s death. “The moment I learned of his death, all I could do is scream and yell,” he shared with the court, revealing the devastating impact this senseless act had on the entire family.

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments came from Probst’s daughter, Taylor, who lamented the experiences that were stolen from both her and her father. “My dad will never get the opportunity to walk his little girl down the aisle and give her away,” she told the court. “He’ll never have the opportunity to hold his first grandchildren. And that’s because it was stolen from him.” These statements painted a vivid picture of the ripple effects of violence – how one act of brutality creates endless waves of grief and loss for those left behind. While the Probst family bravely shared their pain, neither Ayala nor Keys chose to address the court when given the opportunity by Judge Bluth, remaining silent in the face of the suffering they had caused.

The case highlights disturbing aspects of youth violence and a seeming disconnect from the consequences of criminal behavior. The teenagers’ recorded laughter and casual attitude toward taking a human life shocked the community and raised serious questions about what leads young people to commit such heinous acts. Ayala’s confidence that he would receive only “a slap on the wrist” suggests a profound misunderstanding of the justice system or perhaps reflects a troubling belief among some youth that they can commit serious crimes with minimal consequences. This case serves as a stark counterexample, demonstrating that the justice system can and does impose severe penalties for deliberate acts of violence, regardless of the perpetrators’ age.

The sentencing brings a measure of legal closure to a tragedy that forever changed the Probst family and rippled throughout both Las Vegas and the law enforcement community where Andy Probst had dedicated his career. The retired police chief, who had spent his life protecting others, became the victim of a random, senseless act of violence during what should have been his peaceful retirement years. While the lengthy prison sentences cannot restore what was lost, they do represent society’s strong condemnation of such callous disregard for human life. As Crystal Probst noted, the silence left behind by her husband’s absence “nothing can replace.” For the Probst family, the pain continues long after the court proceedings conclude, a reminder of the true human cost that extends far beyond any legal punishment the justice system can impose.