BREAKING NEWS: Torrance gang leader convicted
A jury deliberated about half a day a today before finding Ricky Sam Sisneros, 45, guilty of 10 weapons and drug charges. The jury also found true allegations that the crimes were gang-related. Sisneros returns to Torrance Superior Court Sept. 29 for sentencing.
Prosecutors argued that Sisneros was the "shot caller" of the violent Torrance street gang La Rana. He was under surveillance and arrested after he was seen leaving a home in the 2300 block of Del Amo Boulevard on March 14, 2007.
The defense argued he was not a gang member - let alone a leader - just a drug-addicted old man. The main question was whether or not the guns that were found in the home belonged to him or others.
After a story on the trial ran last week, several people who live in that area contacted me to say there is no La Rana gang. Wrote one 36-year-old Del Amo Boulevard resident:
You called the gang a violent street gang. When was the last time this so called violent street gang was violent? It's been a long time, the area has changed but of course you fail to mention that, or how many many of the residents on this street are good.
[snip]
Some of the residents on the street are harassed by the TPD on a regular basis, I have been pulled over by the TPD about 10-15 times in the last year and a half and have never been given a ticket.
When they stop me they ask me about guys who use to be in the gang, I tell them how would I know. I was once given a ticket by a TPD officer which I fought in court, one officer who I filed a complaint against because of this stop didn't show up, and the girl who wrote me the ticket was let go by the TPD. To this day I have not been told what happened to the complaint I filed and only one of my two witnesses to this incident were interviewed. The last time I was stopped was about two weeks ago and the dispatcher on the radio said that me vehicle has been stopped NUMEROUS times. Just because I'm bald headed with tattoos and live on this street they feel that that is reason enough to stop me. They usually give me b.s. reasons as to why they stop me. Remember, most of use on this street are good and some of use have to put up with police harassment simply because of where I live or who I'm related too.
A Torrance Police Department gang expert testified during the trial about La Rana, it's members and crimes. Although I didn't get a chance to hear what he had to say, the jury did.
We'll have a full report on the verdict in tomorrow's Daily Breeze.
Previously: Torrance gang leader trial
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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About the Blogger
Denise Nix knew as young as grade school, when she spent every summer working on the camp newspaper, that she wanted to be a journalist. Denise has spent most of the last 12 years of her career in the courtroom. She joined the Daily Breeze in 2001, where she tracks and reports on hundreds of cases at every level of the justice system. And she's never, ever, seen a judge use a gavel.
E-mail Denise at denise.nix@dailybreeze.com.
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That was a stupid comment made by the Del Amo Blvd. resident. I do not live on Del Amo, but have spent my far share of time over there and the gang is real. From the tagging on the streets to the fighting and intimidation tactics they use. The gang is part of the community though, so some people are in denial. When Sisneros was arrested, they went to another house on that street. If its not a problem, then why are the police raiding multiple houses on one street? La Rana is a problem in Torrance and has been for a while. But in response to the residents comment, yes having a shaved head and tattoos and living in a gang area, where you are a known affiliate to known gang members does mean they have the right to stop you when ever they choose. If you dont like it, move to another street, grow your hair, cover your tats, and stop hanging out with gangsters.
Hey Tyler, the STUPID comment is coming from you.
I live here and the gang "IS NOT REAL" and if you have spent time here, then you really need to open your eyes buddy. If what you've seen are gang memebers then you don't know what a gang memeber looks like typical always stereo typing people. So being white with a shaved head makes them skinheads and are white Supremist? NO! This street here is all family, as a matter of fact the are TP officers that grew up here and still have family here, how do you like that. We are all trying to make a living and living in a safe enviornment and that is the way we feel here SAFE. We can all sleep with our windows and doors open all night, can you say that where you live? probably not. So Tyler before you start opening your mouth about Del Amo Bl, just be happy you have friends here, and you and who ever are always welcome here.
it still is a gang you need 2 open your eye an as far as that 1 cop your talking about he did not grow up here an he is not a good cop at that
whats up i have a question to the guy that lives on del amo. my popps is from la rana and my bro to i was wondering if you know them cause im trying to get ahold of them havent seen them for over 10 years. my dad is Robert rivera aka Tacho and my bro frankie aka lil tacho. or my cuzins wimpy or leno. get back at me if you could thanks
Robert jr
i saw your dad a few months ago at a friends house he is missing an eye right i also heard your brother is locked up