Prosecutor: Fontana gang members face at least 40 years to life

FONTANA -- Two alleged gang members convicted Tuesday of two counts each of attempted murder face prison sentences of at least 40 years to life, the prosecutor in their case said this morning.

Angel Valencia, 20, and Andrew Valdivia, 19, both of Fontana, were accused of shooting at a man and his 19-year-old son who confronted them last year over gang threats and tagging in Fontana's Southridge neighborhood. The 42-year-old father was shot twice, and his son was not hit.

Deputy District Attorney Norma Alejo said that Valencia and Valdivia face base sentences of 15 years to life because their attempted murder convictions carry allegations that the shooting was gang related and willful, deliberate and premeditated.

An additional 25 years will be tacked onto the sentences because of an enhancement for gun use, Alejo said. Valencia's sentence will likely be lengthened because of a prior strike conviction, Alejo said.

A judge will have the discretion of ordering Valencia and Valdivia to serve sentences for their two attempted murder convictions back-to-back, lengthening their total sentences to at least 80 years to life, Alejo said.

But because both convictions stem from the same incident, the sentences for the two attempted murder counts will likely run concurrent to each other, Alejo said.

They are scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 13 in Fontana Superior Court.