STERLING – A 20-year-old Sterling man was sentenced to 19 years in prison Wednesday for his role in a June 20 street fight that turned deadly.

Luis Carranza pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in the death of Juan Lopez, 54, of Sterling, and the beating of Rodolfo Luevano, 42, of Rock Falls.

In exchange for his guilty plea, Whiteside County Assistant State's Attorney Jim Heuerman dropped charges of first-degree murder and mob action against him.

He was given credit for 313 days served in the county jail.

Heuerman said the plea and sentence were appropriate.

"Mr. Carranza from the very beginning has demonstrated remorse," Heuerman said. "He cooperated with police and [evidence shows that] he had a limited involvement."

His co-defendant, Miguel A. Tamayo, 21, was convicted in January of first-degree murder and mob action at a bench trial.

He will be sentenced Monday and faces up to 30 years in prison.

A third co-defendant, Jose Antonio Reyes-Gomez, 23, who prosecutors believe actually beat Lopez that night, has not been found.

The fight that broke out early on June 20 on West Fifth Street arose from an argument between Lopez and Reyes-Gomez, who lived together, over $50 in back rent.

At trial, both Tamayo and Carranza testified they tried to break up the fight between Lopez and Reyes-Gomez, and said they both hit Luevano in self-defense.

At one point, Tamayo took off his belt and hit Luevano with it, he testified in January.

Lopez died later that morning at CGH Medical Medical Center from a heart attack caused by a "physical altercation," according to testimony at Tamayo's trial.

Luevano suffered five facial fractures, including a broken orbital socket, cheekbone and mouth pallet.

All five men had been drinking that night, according to testimony.