Nicholas Michael Mimms has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole following his conviction for the 2021 killing of Eduardo Gilberto Figueroa. The sentencing occurred on April 16, and it includes an additional five years on top of the life term. Mimms is also under a court order to have no contact with the victim’s family.
This legal conclusion follows a two-week trial in February where 25 witnesses provided testimony. According to True Crime News, a jury found the 37-year-old Mimms guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. It is worth noting that he was found not guilty of malice murder.
The incident took place on August 7, 2021, at a home in Cherokee County, Georgia. Figueroa, a 31-year-old U.S. Army veteran and student of computer science and engineering, had recently established parental rights. He was arriving at the residence for his first court-ordered visitation with the child he shared with Mimms’ wife. Mimms and Figueroa had never met before that day.
Two completely different plans for the same day
When Figueroa arrived at the home, he brought a stuffed animal as a gift for his child. He was met by Mimms, who was waiting outside on the deck wearing a bulletproof vest. Mimms shot Figueroa multiple times, and police later discovered the victim face-down on the deck. Although Mimms claimed he acted in self-defense and alleged that Figueroa threatened him, the investigation confirmed that Figueroa was not armed. Neither the mother nor the child were present at the residence during the encounter.
The prosecution emphasized the stark contrast between the intentions of the two men involved. Blue Ridge Assistant District Attorney Megan S. Hertel stated, “These were two men with very different plans about how this day should go. Eduardo Figueroa arrived with love, excitement, and gifts for the son he was going to meet for the first time. The defendant brought a bulletproof vest and a loaded gun. This was a tragedy, and it should have never happened.”
District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway also commented on the outcome of the case. She said, “This sentence ensures the defendant is held accountable for taking a father from his child and forever altering the lives of those left behind.” Figueroa had been pursuing a career as a video game developer prior to his death. His mother shared a personal reflection in his obituary, writing, “His laughter was contagious, and he was funny, smart, and a great friend. I will miss everything about him, our calls, the I love you’s, and everything in between.”
The case serves as a grim reminder of how quickly a situation intended for a positive family milestone can escalate into a fatal encounter, much like the incident where a vascular surgeon was charged with two counts of murder for killing his ex-wife and her current husband. It is clear that the lack of preparation for the visitation and the decision to arm himself created a situation with no path to a peaceful resolution.
As the legal process now closes for the family, the impact of the loss remains significant.
Published: Apr 21, 2026 06:30 pm