Man sentenced in fatal 2022 shooting of pregnant Savannah mother, two others facing charges

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A judge sentenced the first of 3 suspects charged in connection to the death of Maranda Dover.

This young mother was shot and killed on April 10, 2022, at a mobile home park in the 800 block of Quacco Road while inside a car.

Ruben Luke Rios was sentenced for his role in this shootout. After agreeing to a deal, Rios pleaded guilty to 2 counts of tampering with evidence.

“One of my client’s friends was robbed at gunpoint, and my client then drove the victim of that robbery and another individual to confront the persons who were involved in the armed robbery,” said Jonah Pine, Rios’ attorney. “Then a shootout ensued.”

Rios’ attorney continued,

Then a shootout ensued between a passenger in that vehicle and somebody who was in the other vehicle who was with the pregnant victim of this case. We also submit that there was no evidence that my client was even aware that the person that he was taking there had a firearm, though there was a witness related to one other party in the case who suggested otherwise. My client ultimately pled guilty to reduced charges of tampering with evidence. There are two counts. One involves concealing a vehicle that was involved in the incident. The other was repairing a broken windshield on that same vehicle, but cooperation was provided to the state. My client has been in custody on this case ever since.

Jonah Pine, Attorney for Rios

“Mr. Rios helped in the amplification of just that one criminal offense, making it into something much more dangerous,” said Lyle Burnham, the prosecutor argued. “And we would ask that his sentence be reflective of that participation.”

He’s been in jail ever since his arrest in May of 2022.

He was sentenced to 7 years, 3 to serve, balance probated on both charges, and that time will run concurrent. Essentially, 4 years of probation.

But he has an ICE hold, so he won’t be released just yet.

ICE will now decide whether or not he will be deported.

Also charged in this case, the man who was allegedly in the car with Rios—Juan Jacobo Lopez.

33-year-old Juan Lopez is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault for shooting and killing Maranda Dover, according to court documents in his case.

He’s been on the run from Chatham County Police for months, and they are still actively looking for him.

The 3rd suspect in this case — Dwayne McCloud— was allegedly driving around with the victim, Maranda Dover.

The indictment says McCloud is accused of robbing Rios and Lopez. Rios and Lopez then chased McCloud’s vehicle according to the indictment, and Maranda was shot and killed in the exchanged gunfire.

Her obituary revealed she was pregnant at the time of the shooting and had two kids already.

Dwayne McCloud was charged with two counts of felony murder, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to his gun charges.

The possession charge is because McCloud was arrested for being an accomplice in the 2011 murder of 78-year-old John Green. Previous coverage of the 2011 case.

That victim, John Green, was robbed and shot outside Chu’s Convenience Store in Jan 2011. Due to a lack of witnesses, McCloud and co-defendant Darrell Golden took plea deals dropping the murder charges down; Both served 5 years.

McCloud’s hearing for Wednesday was moved to September.

He is being represented by a public defender, and Lopez is still on the run.

WTOC will keep you posted on any updates in the remaining two cases.