CHADRON, Neb. – A 22-year-old Panhandle man will spend decades in prison for the shooting death of his sister’s partner.

Ian “Sage” Little Moon, of Chadron, was sentenced to 50-to-62 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon in the death of 72-year-old John Martinez, who was in a relationship with Little Moon’s now-35-year-old sister.

Martinez was found fatally shot in July of 2021. After authorities found a gun next to the bed where Martinez was found dead, a child told a Chadron Police sergeant that it was the gun Little Moon used to shoot Martinez.

District Judge Travis O’Gorman sentenced Little Moon on Thursday. Little Moon will be eligible for parole in 2047.