Recently in El Monte Category
EL MONTE -- An El Monte teenager died early Sunday after he was allegedly stabbed by a friend during an argument, authorities and neighbors said.
Coroner's officials did not release his name Sunday pending notification of family members outside the country, however a man who identified himself as the teenager's brother said his name was Hugo Negrete, and that the 17-year-old moved to El Monte from Mexico about two years ago.
Eder Castro, 23, who lives in a nearby apartment and was known to neighbors as "Martin," was booked on suspicion of the killing, Lt. David Dolson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
The stabbing was reported just after 3 a.m. in an alley behind an apartment building in the 11100 block of Bonwood Road.
The teen and the suspect had been drinking together prior to the stabbing, Dolson and neighbors said.
"There was some kind of an argument," the lieutenant said. After exchanging blows, "The suspect apparently went to his apartment and retrieved a knife."
Neighbor Martha Leyva said at one point after fighting, Castro and Negrete shook hands as if making up, but Castro then retrieved a knife from his apartment and stabbed Negrete in the chest.
"I screamed to my sister to call 9-1-1," she said.
Dolson said Castro was arrested at his apartment.
A kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon was found on the roof of the apartment building, he added.
Leyva described Negrete as a "nice guy."
"He would get along together with everybody," she said.
Castro, however, had a short temper and was quick to fight, Leyva added.
The incident did not appear to be gang-related, Dolson said.
Sunday's slaying was the fourth homicide reported in El Monte this year.
*On June 18, Sonny Garcia, 20, was fatally shot at a high school graduation party near Fairview Street and Elrovia Avenue.
*On July 24, Jose Jimenez, 16, was fatally shot by Baldwin Park police officers on Peck Road, just south of the 10 Freeway, after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.
*On Aug. 9, Job Gonzalez-Martinez, 20, was shot to death as he rode his bicycle on Lansdale Avenue near Cogswell Road.
Coroner's officials did not release his name Sunday pending notification of family members outside the country, however a man who identified himself as the teenager's brother said his name was Hugo Negrete, and that the 17-year-old moved to El Monte from Mexico about two years ago.
Eder Castro, 23, who lives in a nearby apartment and was known to neighbors as "Martin," was booked on suspicion of the killing, Lt. David Dolson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
The stabbing was reported just after 3 a.m. in an alley behind an apartment building in the 11100 block of Bonwood Road.
The teen and the suspect had been drinking together prior to the stabbing, Dolson and neighbors said.
"There was some kind of an argument," the lieutenant said. After exchanging blows, "The suspect apparently went to his apartment and retrieved a knife."
Neighbor Martha Leyva said at one point after fighting, Castro and Negrete shook hands as if making up, but Castro then retrieved a knife from his apartment and stabbed Negrete in the chest.
"I screamed to my sister to call 9-1-1," she said.
Dolson said Castro was arrested at his apartment.
A kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon was found on the roof of the apartment building, he added.
Leyva described Negrete as a "nice guy."
"He would get along together with everybody," she said.
Castro, however, had a short temper and was quick to fight, Leyva added.
The incident did not appear to be gang-related, Dolson said.
Sunday's slaying was the fourth homicide reported in El Monte this year.
*On June 18, Sonny Garcia, 20, was fatally shot at a high school graduation party near Fairview Street and Elrovia Avenue.
*On July 24, Jose Jimenez, 16, was fatally shot by Baldwin Park police officers on Peck Road, just south of the 10 Freeway, after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.
*On Aug. 9, Job Gonzalez-Martinez, 20, was shot to death as he rode his bicycle on Lansdale Avenue near Cogswell Road.
LOS ANGELES -- James Mussenden, the former El Monte city manager caught up in a Pomona prostitution sting, will face misdemeanor solicitation charges, officials said Tuesday.
Mussenden, 59, of Glendora, was one of 18 men caught in the Holt Ave. hooker sting on Oct. 15. He likely faces a fine in the case. No court date has been set.
"It's one count of soliciting," DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said Tuesday. "All the men arrested in the case have been charged with the same count."
Mussendin, who had been city manager since 2006, resigned his job two days after the arrest. He additionally resigned his post as a commissioner for the Trails of the Valley Boy Scouts council.
EL MONTE -- Robbers beat a man with a metal pipe and stole his wallet and cell phone early Saturday, police said.
The crime occurred about 12:45 a.m. in an alleyway near Garvey and Central Avenues, El Monte police Lt. Chuck Carlson said.
The victim, a 21-year-old Covina man, was walking down the alley when a dark-colored 4-door sedan, possibly a Honda Accord, with four people inside approached, the lieutenant said.
Two of the robbers got out of the car and struck the man with a metal pipe, then rifled through his pockets after he fell to the ground, Carlson said.
The man was hospitalized but is expected to recover, he added.
One of the robbers was described as a Latino man of about 18 years old, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing 130 pounds, Carlson said. Another robber was a Latino man of about 25 years old.
No description of the robbers who remained in the car was available.
Carlson said it was not clear Sunday if the robbers were gang members.
The crime occurred about 12:45 a.m. in an alleyway near Garvey and Central Avenues, El Monte police Lt. Chuck Carlson said.
The victim, a 21-year-old Covina man, was walking down the alley when a dark-colored 4-door sedan, possibly a Honda Accord, with four people inside approached, the lieutenant said.
Two of the robbers got out of the car and struck the man with a metal pipe, then rifled through his pockets after he fell to the ground, Carlson said.
The man was hospitalized but is expected to recover, he added.
One of the robbers was described as a Latino man of about 18 years old, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing 130 pounds, Carlson said. Another robber was a Latino man of about 25 years old.
No description of the robbers who remained in the car was available.
Carlson said it was not clear Sunday if the robbers were gang members.
EL MONTE -- El Monte police officers opened fire on a man Sunday, but did not hit him, after he allegedly rammed the officers' car with his SUV, authorities said.
Sergio Farias, 29, of El Monte was booked on suspicion of domestic violence and assaulting a police officer in connection with the incident, El Monte police Lt. Chuck Carlson said.
Two officers fired several shots at him as he tried to back his SUV into their car during a chase at Cogswell and Ferris Roads, Sgt. Ken Clark of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"He intentionally tried to run them over," he said.
Officers encountered Farias driving away from his home in the 3700 of La Madera Avenue as they were responding to a report he was attacking his girlfriend about 1:40 a.m., officials said.
The officers chased Farias in his Ford SUV until he reached the intersection of Cogswell and Ferris roads, where he threw the truck into reverse and "gunned" the engine to ram the officers' car, Clark said.
The officer backed up to avoid the collision, but the SUV collided with their patrol car, he said.
The officers fired on the man, and he continued driving back to his home where he was arrested without further incident, Clark said.
His common-law wife, a 26-year-old woman, was hospitalized due to the assault and has since been released, officials said.
Following his arrest, police learned Farias was a wanted man.
He had two outstanding warrants, Clark said. One was a $1 million warrant for a narcotics offense, and the other was related to a previous domestic violence charge involving a different woman.
"It's pretty obvious that he's a violent person," Clark said.
Sheriff's officials commonly investigate officer-involved shootings for Los Angeles County police departments in order to eliminate a perceived conflict of interest, Carlson said.
"Anytime we discharge a weapon, we prefer (the investigation) be done by an outside agency," he said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Farias was being held in lieu of $2,025,000 bail. No information was available regarding his initial court appearance.
Sergio Farias, 29, of El Monte was booked on suspicion of domestic violence and assaulting a police officer in connection with the incident, El Monte police Lt. Chuck Carlson said.
Two officers fired several shots at him as he tried to back his SUV into their car during a chase at Cogswell and Ferris Roads, Sgt. Ken Clark of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
"He intentionally tried to run them over," he said.
Officers encountered Farias driving away from his home in the 3700 of La Madera Avenue as they were responding to a report he was attacking his girlfriend about 1:40 a.m., officials said.
The officers chased Farias in his Ford SUV until he reached the intersection of Cogswell and Ferris roads, where he threw the truck into reverse and "gunned" the engine to ram the officers' car, Clark said.
The officer backed up to avoid the collision, but the SUV collided with their patrol car, he said.
The officers fired on the man, and he continued driving back to his home where he was arrested without further incident, Clark said.
His common-law wife, a 26-year-old woman, was hospitalized due to the assault and has since been released, officials said.
Following his arrest, police learned Farias was a wanted man.
He had two outstanding warrants, Clark said. One was a $1 million warrant for a narcotics offense, and the other was related to a previous domestic violence charge involving a different woman.
"It's pretty obvious that he's a violent person," Clark said.
Sheriff's officials commonly investigate officer-involved shootings for Los Angeles County police departments in order to eliminate a perceived conflict of interest, Carlson said.
"Anytime we discharge a weapon, we prefer (the investigation) be done by an outside agency," he said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Farias was being held in lieu of $2,025,000 bail. No information was available regarding his initial court appearance.
EL MONTE -- A 65-year-old El Monte man died Sunday after being struck by a suspected drunken driver who police said fled the scene afterward.
The dead man's name was not released pending notification of family members, coroner's officials said.
Joyce Polzin, 24, of Rosemead, was jailed on suspicion of drunken driving and felony hit-and-run, El Monte police Officer Eric Johnston said.
The crash occurred about 6:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Peck Road, just south of Lower Azusa Road, El Monte police said in a written statement.
Polzin initially tried to drive off from the scene in her damaged truck, police said, but made it only a few blocks away.
"Her tire gave out, which caused her to pull over," Johnston said.
Simultaneously, a good Samaritan caught up with the woman and told her to stay put, he said.
The man had apparently parked his Toyota Tundra pickup truck along the side of the road and gotten out when he was struck by a Chevrolet Avalanche being driven by Polzin, police said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Small bits of shattered plastic and glass, painted markings on the street left by investigators and tiny bits of police crime scene tape were the only signs of the crash that remained Sunday afternoon.
According to sheriff's booking records, Polzin was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. No information was available Sunday regarding her initial court appearance.
The dead man's name was not released pending notification of family members, coroner's officials said.
Joyce Polzin, 24, of Rosemead, was jailed on suspicion of drunken driving and felony hit-and-run, El Monte police Officer Eric Johnston said.
The crash occurred about 6:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Peck Road, just south of Lower Azusa Road, El Monte police said in a written statement.
Polzin initially tried to drive off from the scene in her damaged truck, police said, but made it only a few blocks away.
"Her tire gave out, which caused her to pull over," Johnston said.
Simultaneously, a good Samaritan caught up with the woman and told her to stay put, he said.
The man had apparently parked his Toyota Tundra pickup truck along the side of the road and gotten out when he was struck by a Chevrolet Avalanche being driven by Polzin, police said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Small bits of shattered plastic and glass, painted markings on the street left by investigators and tiny bits of police crime scene tape were the only signs of the crash that remained Sunday afternoon.
According to sheriff's booking records, Polzin was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. No information was available Sunday regarding her initial court appearance.
From the Associated Press:
Two women have been charged with what police describe as a "Thelma and Louise"-style crime spree after officers discovered a van with loot in Los Angeles.
Police said Thursday that Myra Lopez and Latascha Bulmer went on a six-day string of carjackings, purse-snatchings and holdups after fleeing a halfway house over the Labor Day weekend.
Police say Lopez was wearing stolen diamond earrings when she was stopped last week in a minivan containing loot, including computers and a jewelry box filled with Mexican silver.
Bulmer was arrested the next day.
Both remained jailed Thursday after pleading not guilty to robbery and carjacking. Lopez also was charged with burglary.
Police say the parolees met in prison and fled an El Monte halfway house.
EL MONTE -- Police jailed a Baldwin Park Thursday on suspicion of felony vandalism after he allegedly scrawled graffiti in a park bathroom, police said.
Daniel Parra, 18, was arrested about 5 p.m. at Zamora Park, 3820 Penn Mar Avenue, El Monte police said in a written statement.
Officials said he caused about $500 in damage to the bathroom at the park.
According to sheriff's booking records, Parra was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail. No information was available regarding his initial court date.
AZUSA -- A 13-year-old Azusa boy was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of drawing graffiti on a park bench, officials said.
He was jailed about 4 p.m. after he was allegedly spotted writing on a bench at Slauson Park, 501 W. Fifth Street, with a marker, Azusa police Sgt. Mike Gurbada said.
The teen was released to his parents with a court date after both he and they were cited, Gurbada said.
EL MONTE -- A bicyclist was shot and killed early Sunday in a residential neighborhood in El Monte, officials and neighbors said.
Coroner's officials were working Sunday to identify the man, who appeared to be Latino and about 20 years old, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. on Lansdale Avenue, just east of Cogswell Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck said.
Neighborhood residents Pat and Joe Viramontes said they were awakened to the sound of gunfire.
"It was four straight shots, then three or four seconds (pause), then another one," Joe Viramontes said.
The couple added that they didn't see anything, but heard what sounded like a large or older-model vehicle speeding away afterward.
"It scared the hell out of me," Pat Viramontes said.
Joe Viramontes said when he went out to look at what had happened later, he saw the body lying halfway on the sidewalk and halfway on the street.
"A bicycle was lying down on the ground by his body," he said.
Pat Viramontes added that bicycles are a very common site on Lansdale Avenue.
"There are constantly people -- men and boys -- riding bikes down the street all the time," he said.
A plastic bag full of discarded rubber gloves and other medical equipment, small bits of police crime scene tape and small patches of what appeared to be dry blood remained at the scene Sunday.
The detectives handling the investigation could not be reached for comment Sunday, and no further details were released.
Coroner's officials were working Sunday to identify the man, who appeared to be Latino and about 20 years old, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. on Lansdale Avenue, just east of Cogswell Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck said.
Neighborhood residents Pat and Joe Viramontes said they were awakened to the sound of gunfire.
"It was four straight shots, then three or four seconds (pause), then another one," Joe Viramontes said.
The couple added that they didn't see anything, but heard what sounded like a large or older-model vehicle speeding away afterward.
"It scared the hell out of me," Pat Viramontes said.
Joe Viramontes said when he went out to look at what had happened later, he saw the body lying halfway on the sidewalk and halfway on the street.
"A bicycle was lying down on the ground by his body," he said.
Pat Viramontes added that bicycles are a very common site on Lansdale Avenue.
"There are constantly people -- men and boys -- riding bikes down the street all the time," he said.
A plastic bag full of discarded rubber gloves and other medical equipment, small bits of police crime scene tape and small patches of what appeared to be dry blood remained at the scene Sunday.
The detectives handling the investigation could not be reached for comment Sunday, and no further details were released.
POMONA -- One man entered a guilty plea for his role in an El Monte carjacking in which female cab driver's throat was cut, while another suspect in the case began trial on charges of carjacking and attempted murder, officials said Thursday.
David Siguenza, 20, of El Monte entered a guilty plea Tuesday to a count of carjacking, prosecutor Duke Chau said. He is due to be sentenced Sept. 14.
Carlos Ramirez, 26, of El Monte has pleaded not guilty to charges of carjacking and attempted murder.
El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres said the attack left the victim, 28-year-old Clara Reyes of Rosemead "traumatized" and scarred.
"She had been on the job one month," Batres said.
Both men allegedly took part in the Nov. 14, 2008, incident, in which police said Ramirez grabbed the woman from behind and slit her throat in order to steal her taxi.
In Pomona Superior Court Thursday, Siguenza testified through a Spanish interpreter that he was drinking with Ramirez when Ramirez called for a taxi.
After driving a short distance in the taxi from the El Monte home the men shared in the 11700 block of Emery Street, Ramirez attacked, he said.
"He was just holding her by the neck," Siguenza said. "I started yelling two or three times to leave her alone."
"When she noticed I wanted to help her, she said, 'Please help,'" Siguenza testified.
Siguenza said he tried to grab Ramirez's hand just before Reyes was able to get out of the taxi.
"When she stepped out of the taxi, I noticed she had blood," he said, adding that Ramirez was holding a box cutter in his hand.
Siguenza admitted taking $10 from the wounded woman's purse after they fled the scene of the attack at Tyler Avenue and Kauffman Street, but said Ramirez had not told him of any plans to harm the taxi driver or steal the car. The men planned only to go to a friend's house to borrow money, he said, though they had no money to pay for the taxi ride Ramirez called for.
A transcript of an El Monte police interview of Siguenza the day after the incident tells part of the tale.
According to the transcript, Siguenza told investigators he was planning to participate in the killing of the driver and theft of the taxi, however he changed his mind when he saw the driver was a woman and unsuccessfully tried to convince Ramirez to cancel the plan.
Siguenza and Ramirez are both illegal immigrants who worked together at a La Puente car wash at the time of the carjacking and stabbing, Batres said.
The trial will continue Friday.
David Siguenza, 20, of El Monte entered a guilty plea Tuesday to a count of carjacking, prosecutor Duke Chau said. He is due to be sentenced Sept. 14.
Carlos Ramirez, 26, of El Monte has pleaded not guilty to charges of carjacking and attempted murder.
El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres said the attack left the victim, 28-year-old Clara Reyes of Rosemead "traumatized" and scarred.
"She had been on the job one month," Batres said.
Both men allegedly took part in the Nov. 14, 2008, incident, in which police said Ramirez grabbed the woman from behind and slit her throat in order to steal her taxi.
In Pomona Superior Court Thursday, Siguenza testified through a Spanish interpreter that he was drinking with Ramirez when Ramirez called for a taxi.
After driving a short distance in the taxi from the El Monte home the men shared in the 11700 block of Emery Street, Ramirez attacked, he said.
"He was just holding her by the neck," Siguenza said. "I started yelling two or three times to leave her alone."
"When she noticed I wanted to help her, she said, 'Please help,'" Siguenza testified.
Siguenza said he tried to grab Ramirez's hand just before Reyes was able to get out of the taxi.
"When she stepped out of the taxi, I noticed she had blood," he said, adding that Ramirez was holding a box cutter in his hand.
Siguenza admitted taking $10 from the wounded woman's purse after they fled the scene of the attack at Tyler Avenue and Kauffman Street, but said Ramirez had not told him of any plans to harm the taxi driver or steal the car. The men planned only to go to a friend's house to borrow money, he said, though they had no money to pay for the taxi ride Ramirez called for.
A transcript of an El Monte police interview of Siguenza the day after the incident tells part of the tale.
According to the transcript, Siguenza told investigators he was planning to participate in the killing of the driver and theft of the taxi, however he changed his mind when he saw the driver was a woman and unsuccessfully tried to convince Ramirez to cancel the plan.
Siguenza and Ramirez are both illegal immigrants who worked together at a La Puente car wash at the time of the carjacking and stabbing, Batres said.
The trial will continue Friday.
WHITTIER - A woman who was beaten, had her throat slit and was left for dead this morning survived her harrowing ordeal.
View Woman dumped in a larger map
She sought help by knocking on doors in the 6000 block of Altmark Avenue about 3 a.m. today.
Three El Monte men, who police said the victim knows, were later arrested.
The victim, a 20-year-old Bellflower woman, was able to describe the events to investigators before she was taken to County USC Medical Center. She underwent surgery and is in critical condition at the hospital.
View Woman dumped in a larger map
Friday morning August 8, 1969.
The sun is fully visible at 6:10 a.m.
At 7:50 a.m. Steven Earl Parent, 18, leaves his parents' El Monte home on Bryant Road for work at Valley City Plumbing in Rosemead.
A recent graduate of Arroyo High School, Parent works two jobs. He plans on attending Citrus College in the fall semester.
Parent's co-workers say he is "clean-cut" and "intelligent." "A good worker."
He splits work at 5:15 p.m. and heads to the second job, at Jonas Miller Stereo on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.
At 7:48 p.m. sunset envelopes Southern California.
Sometime after 11 p.m., Parent gets off work. He's driving his dad's 1966 AMC Rambler.
Parent heads up Beverly to Sunset, then jogs north again on Benedict Canyon Road.
A waning crescent moon barely lights the night sky. Oleanders and scrub oak line the unlit road. He turns again on Cielo Drive.
At 11:45 p.m., Parent demonstrates an AM/FM Sony Digimatic clock radio. He hopes to sell it to Bill Garretson, his 19-year-old friend.
The two met several weeks earlier, when Parent picked up Garretson hitchhiking and drove him home.
Garretson lives in the back house at the estate on Cielo Drive. He takes care of the owner's dogs.
Garretson declines to buy the radio. Parent drinks a can of beer. He calls a friend.
It's now Saturday morning August 9 - 12:15 a.m. Parent leaves.
In the dark, he walks back to his dad's white Rambler. He starts his car and heads toward the gate.
He rolls down the window to use a push button gate opener.
A figure approaches.
"Halt," a man calls out. The man's got a buck knife in one hand and a .22 in the other.
Parent pleads with the man, "Please don't hurt me. I won't tell anyone."
The man slashes at Parent with the knife, slicing the teen's wrist. Then, he opens fire with the revolver. Shots strike the El Monte teen in the head and chest. By 12:30 a.m. Parent is dead.
He would become the first victim in a two-night killing frenzy led by Charles Manson and carried out by members of his LSD-crazed "family."
Within minutes, Parent's murderer, Charles "Tex" Watson, and three women would enter the main house at Cielo Drive and kill actress Sharon Tate, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, film producer Wojciech Frykowski and hair dresser Jay Sebring.
In hopes of inciting a race war that Manson called "Helter Skelter," the killers struck the next night at the Los Feliz home of and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
Parent's body was discovered about 24 hours after he left his parent's El Monte home for work. His mom and dad were disturbed that LAPD officials didn't notify them of their son's death for several hours.
His dad wondered what Steven was up to.
"I just can't understand what he was doing up there in the first place," Wilfred Parent said. "Hell, Steve wasn't a poshy kind of kid. I didn't even know he knew any of those people."
Received an interesting DOJ press release this afternoon that talks about the arrest of four local men involved in running guns and drugs for a Mexican drug cartel, right here in the San Gabriel Valley.
Here's some of what is says:
An investigation into guns being trafficked from Arizona to California has led to the arrest of four individuals, one of whom sold several machine guns to a undercover operative and claimed to be tied to a Mexican drug cartel.The four defendants were arrested early this morning by special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department. During the course of the 10-month investigation, authorities purchased or seized 50 firearms, including 17 guns that were discovered during the execution of search warrants this morning.
During the investigation, an undercover operative made a series of gun purchases from three of the defendants. The purchases included guns similar to AK-47s, Uzis and AR-15s, some of which were fully automatic weapons.
Those arrested today are:
- Edgardo Prado Casteneda, aka "Primo," 26, of Azusa, who claimed to be a Southern California operative of the La Familia drug cartel based in Michoacan, Mexico;
- Vicente Garcia Jr., aka "Chevy," 38, of Azusa;
- Steven Scott Blanks, 47, of Norco; and
- Victor Velasquez, aka "Fingers," 34, of El Monte, who is accused of delivering a quarter-pound of methamphetamine that was purchased by the undercover operative.
The four defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
<snip>
The arrests were made today as Prado apparently made plans to collect a "debt" and possibly kidnap a man he said owed money to La Familia. Over the past several weeks, Prado allegedly had a series of conversations with the undercover operative about helping collect a large "debt" that a man owed to La Familia. According to the affidavit, Prado told the informant that a boss in the cartel that he called "Cuete" had sent a courier to Mexico to transport narcotics, but the courier was arrested and provided information to Mexican authorities that led to the arrest of another high-ranking cartel member in Mexico City. As a result of this, "Cuete" owed the Cartel $3 million. If the informant participated in the collection of the "debt," Prado promised him a share of money that would be paid by the cartel.
A criminal complaint filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles charges Prado with selling firearms without a license and distributing methamphetamine.
Garcia is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Blanks is charged with possession of a machine gun.
Velasquez is charged with distribution of methamphetamine.
If convicted of the crimes alleged in the criminal complaint, the defendants would face maximum potential sentences of at least 10 years in prison.
For a city that's got no money and is laying off cops left and right, an officer's kick to a prone suspect's head may end up being pretty costly. *Here's a copy of the claim:
And the story:
EL MONTE - The parolee who was kicked in the head by an El Monte officer in May is demanding $5 million from the city.
Lawyers for Richard Rodriguez, 24, filed a claim at El Monte City Hall on Thursday claiming Rodriguez suffers from headaches, blurred vision, back problems, inability to sleep and dizziness since his arrest on May 13.
"Mr. Rodriguez presents symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as flashbacks, frightening thoughts, depression, worrisome, easily startled, and on edge," the 12-page claim states.
The claim comes nearly two months after news cameras caught a police pursuit of Rodriguez - which ended with Rodriguez being kicked in the head and pepper-sprayed.
The chase started after El Monte Police Officer George Fierro attempted to pull over Rodriguez. Rodriguez did not stop, and instead led police on a car and foot-chase.
The chase ended when Rodriguez became trapped behind a condo complex and then surrendered by laying face down on the grass.
Moments later, Fierro kicked Rodriguez in the head and pepper-sprayed him in the face.
Fierro has since been removed from patrol.
Police Chief Tom Armstrong said that video does not always relay the entire story.
"I believe firmly that a police officer is entitled to the same due process as a criminal," Armstrong said. "We will let justice decide."
POMONA -- Closing arguments began Thursday in the trial of two men charged with murder in connection with an El Monte street racing crash that left a local woman and her two children dead.
The jury was advised they may consider three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter as a verdict, in addition to three counts of second-degree murder.
Robert Canizalez, 20, and Martin Morones, 22, are charged with the Oct. 8, 2007, deaths of 41-year-old Dora Groce, her 8-year-old son Robert and her 4-year-old daughter Catherine in an Oct. 8, 2007, crash at Elliot Avenue and Parkway Drive. Authorities allege the deaths were the result of a street race between the two defendants.
The prosecutor in the case, Deputy District Attorney Stacy Okun-Wiese, argued the case was an obvious case of gross vehicular manslaughter that rose to the level of murder.
"They have no regard for human life," Okun-Wiese said. "This disregard of human life makes these defendants guilty of murder."
Defense attorney Henry Bastien, who represents Canizalez, argued that while what his client and Morones did was dangerous, they did not recognize a risk to human life, and therefore lacked the intent or "implied malice" required for a murder conviction.
"Have you ever climbed into the mind of a teenage boy?" Bastien said. "They think differently when it comes to recognition of risk. They just don't recognize the risk."
The prosecutor argued that the men knowingly endangered the lives of others when they engaged in a race on a residential street at speeds estimated at 77-87 mph. The men had both lived in a nearby mobile home park, where the Groces also lived, so they were familiar with the area and knew it to be well-travelled and regulated by stop signs.
The disregard for others was further evidence, the prosecutor said, by the fact that the defendants fled the scene.
When Canizalez did return to the crash scene minutes after the crash, as witnesses testified, Okun-Wiese argued he showed no regard for the injured and dying Groces.
"Does he come back to help? No," she said. "He comes back to threaten people and to make terrible statements."
According to witness Gerardo Romero, the prosecutor said, following the crash Canizalez stated, "I don't care about the(expletive) kids, look at my (expletive) car."
After Morones pushed his damaged car away from the crash scene, Okun-Wiese said, "He flees to Mexico. That's why he's here today, because he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals."
"The facts are so much more than manslaughter," she added. "They showed implied malice, which is murder."
"The evidence is overwhelming that they knew what they were doing and didn't care," Okun-Wiese said.
Bastien said the evidence did not prove Canizalez and Morones displayed conscious disregard for human life.
The attorney said the road was clear ahead of them and the race occurred in broad daylight, so the racers did not believe they were putting lives at risk.
Bastien said although witnesses testified they saw Canizalez driving erratically only hours before the fatal crash, there was no evidence he had ever crashed or even had a near miss.
"When there are no accidents, that success breeds confidence and fans the flames of invincibility," he said.
The defendants may have been, "walking around with blinders" concerning the danger street racing poses to human lives, the attorney said, but they were not guilty of murder.
Bastien further argued that a culture filled with movies like "The Fast and the Furious" and video games that glorify the adrenaline rush of racing contribute to the feeling of invincibility young street racers feel.
"They glorify the adrenaline rush, they emphasize the skill level and they desensitize," Bastien said.
Bastien is expected to conclude his closing arguments Friday, and defense attorney Gary Meastas will present his closing statement on behalf of his client, Morones, before the case is turned over to the jury for deliberation.
In response to the crash, the City of El Monte has installed speed bumps in the area where the collision occurred.
Throughout the trial, a group of about half a dozen members of the defendants' families as well as the father and husband of the crash victims, Stephen Groce, and his nephew.
Family members of both groups declined to comment during the trial.
Stephen Groce, who lost his wife and two children in the 2007 crash, has filed a a $100 million lawsuit against Canizalez, Morones and the Nissan Corporation, which manufactured the Altima sedan the Groces died in.
Canizalez and Morones face possible sentences of 15 years to life in prison for each count if convicted of murder. Gross vehicular manslaughter carries with it a a possible sentence ranging from less than one year in county jail to six years in prison for each count.
Canizalez has also been charged with witness intimidation after allegedly threatening a young witness at the crash scene.
If convicted of witness intimidation, Canizalez could be sentenced to an additional two to four years in prison.
El Monte police Detective Rick George, who investigated the case, said the crash was a tragedy.
"No matter what, I wish this never happened," he said.
The jury was advised they may consider three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter as a verdict, in addition to three counts of second-degree murder.
Robert Canizalez, 20, and Martin Morones, 22, are charged with the Oct. 8, 2007, deaths of 41-year-old Dora Groce, her 8-year-old son Robert and her 4-year-old daughter Catherine in an Oct. 8, 2007, crash at Elliot Avenue and Parkway Drive. Authorities allege the deaths were the result of a street race between the two defendants.
The prosecutor in the case, Deputy District Attorney Stacy Okun-Wiese, argued the case was an obvious case of gross vehicular manslaughter that rose to the level of murder.
"They have no regard for human life," Okun-Wiese said. "This disregard of human life makes these defendants guilty of murder."
Defense attorney Henry Bastien, who represents Canizalez, argued that while what his client and Morones did was dangerous, they did not recognize a risk to human life, and therefore lacked the intent or "implied malice" required for a murder conviction.
"Have you ever climbed into the mind of a teenage boy?" Bastien said. "They think differently when it comes to recognition of risk. They just don't recognize the risk."
The prosecutor argued that the men knowingly endangered the lives of others when they engaged in a race on a residential street at speeds estimated at 77-87 mph. The men had both lived in a nearby mobile home park, where the Groces also lived, so they were familiar with the area and knew it to be well-travelled and regulated by stop signs.
The disregard for others was further evidence, the prosecutor said, by the fact that the defendants fled the scene.
When Canizalez did return to the crash scene minutes after the crash, as witnesses testified, Okun-Wiese argued he showed no regard for the injured and dying Groces.
"Does he come back to help? No," she said. "He comes back to threaten people and to make terrible statements."
According to witness Gerardo Romero, the prosecutor said, following the crash Canizalez stated, "I don't care about the(expletive) kids, look at my (expletive) car."
After Morones pushed his damaged car away from the crash scene, Okun-Wiese said, "He flees to Mexico. That's why he's here today, because he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals."
"The facts are so much more than manslaughter," she added. "They showed implied malice, which is murder."
"The evidence is overwhelming that they knew what they were doing and didn't care," Okun-Wiese said.
Bastien said the evidence did not prove Canizalez and Morones displayed conscious disregard for human life.
The attorney said the road was clear ahead of them and the race occurred in broad daylight, so the racers did not believe they were putting lives at risk.
Bastien said although witnesses testified they saw Canizalez driving erratically only hours before the fatal crash, there was no evidence he had ever crashed or even had a near miss.
"When there are no accidents, that success breeds confidence and fans the flames of invincibility," he said.
The defendants may have been, "walking around with blinders" concerning the danger street racing poses to human lives, the attorney said, but they were not guilty of murder.
Bastien further argued that a culture filled with movies like "The Fast and the Furious" and video games that glorify the adrenaline rush of racing contribute to the feeling of invincibility young street racers feel.
"They glorify the adrenaline rush, they emphasize the skill level and they desensitize," Bastien said.
Bastien is expected to conclude his closing arguments Friday, and defense attorney Gary Meastas will present his closing statement on behalf of his client, Morones, before the case is turned over to the jury for deliberation.
In response to the crash, the City of El Monte has installed speed bumps in the area where the collision occurred.
Throughout the trial, a group of about half a dozen members of the defendants' families as well as the father and husband of the crash victims, Stephen Groce, and his nephew.
Family members of both groups declined to comment during the trial.
Stephen Groce, who lost his wife and two children in the 2007 crash, has filed a a $100 million lawsuit against Canizalez, Morones and the Nissan Corporation, which manufactured the Altima sedan the Groces died in.
Canizalez and Morones face possible sentences of 15 years to life in prison for each count if convicted of murder. Gross vehicular manslaughter carries with it a a possible sentence ranging from less than one year in county jail to six years in prison for each count.
Canizalez has also been charged with witness intimidation after allegedly threatening a young witness at the crash scene.
If convicted of witness intimidation, Canizalez could be sentenced to an additional two to four years in prison.
El Monte police Detective Rick George, who investigated the case, said the crash was a tragedy.
"No matter what, I wish this never happened," he said.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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