SANTA ANA, Calif. — June 28, 2025 — Kenny Alfredo Poncio, 45, of Corona, was sentenced Friday to 50 years to life in prison for a violent attempted robbery that nearly turned deadly inside a Santa Ana motel room in 2022.
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Poncio was convicted on March 1, 2023, of multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, attempted robbery, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Jurors also found true several sentencing enhancements, including attempted premeditated murder, discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and inflicting great bodily injury. He was acquitted on a second attempted robbery count.
Details of the Motel 6 Shooting
The incident occurred on January 23, 2022, at the Motel 6 located at 1717 E. Dyer Road. According to trial testimony, Poncio shot John Lambert during a confrontation that followed a meeting between Lambert and a woman named Kianna, whom he had met previously at a nearby 7-Eleven.
Lambert testified that he went to Kianna’s motel room under the impression he might be doing tattoo work for her and potentially giving her a ride. Another man, Jose Del Muro, later arrived claiming he was there to sell drugs. Lambert and Del Muro reportedly exchanged drugs — fentanyl and methamphetamine — and each took a dose before Poncio emerged from another part of the room armed with a semiautomatic handgun.
Poncio allegedly demanded that both men sit on the bed and empty their pockets. When Lambert resisted, Poncio shot him.
Lambert was struck in the arm, chest, and stomach, suffering critical injuries, including kidney damage. He collapsed while trying to escape and called 911 as fellow motel guests looked on but offered no assistance. Lambert later regained consciousness at OC Global Medical Center, testifying that he believed he was going to die as he lost consciousness in the hallway.
Surveillance Video and Testimony Paint Grim Scene
Deputy District Attorney Gagan Batth presented surveillance video showing Del Muro fleeing the scene, followed by Kianna and Poncio, who escaped on a bicycle. Poncio was later arrested and charged.
During trial, Poncio claimed the gun belonged to a friend who left it in the motel bathroom and said he fired only one shot in panic upon encountering the two men. His attorney, Roger Sheaks, argued that only one bullet was discharged, citing the presence of a single shell casing and the lack of evidence showing multiple bullets or bullet wounds with unremoved fragments.
Criminal History and Pending Charges
Poncio has a lengthy criminal history, including:
A 1999 armed robbery conviction
A 2019 plea deal for grand theft, drug possession, and burglary tools
A pending case involving attempted robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm from a February 2021 incident
He remains in custody pending the outcome of the second case.
Justice Delivered
Poncio’s 50-year-to-life sentence reflects the severity of the attack and his past criminal conduct. Prosecutors say the shooting could have easily turned fatal, and that justice was served for a victim who narrowly survived a brutal ambush.
John Lambert’s survival, despite suffering grave injuries, was described as nothing short of remarkable — and his testimony proved pivotal in securing Poncio’s conviction.
This case stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of street crime and the lasting trauma it can inflict on victims.