Tag Archives: 187

Puente 13 — suspected La Eme associates — arrested by feds

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Eight suspected members of the Puente 13 street gang were arrested Tuesday morning by federal authorities in a racketeering and drug case.

The feds allege that the group was involved in violent crimes and selling meth to help fund La Eme — the Mexican Mafia.

The 22-count indictment names 17 defendants. Sixteen are charged with taking part in a RICO conspiracy.

“Puente-13, a street gang that was formed in the City of La Puente approximately 60
years ago. Puente-13 claims as its turf a large portion of La Puente, as well as
unincorporated parts of the San Gabriel Valley and portions of nearby cities such as
Hacienda Heights, Walnut and West Covina,” according to U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Thom Mrozek. “The gang is comprised of approximately 600 members and includes at least 14 subsets or ‘cliques.'”

Among those arrested was Rafael Munoz “Cisco” Gonzalez, the group’s alleged kingpin.

“Violent drug gangs continue to wreak havoc within our communities,” said Drug
Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum. “Today’s
arrests send the message that law enforcement will continue to work together to take
back our neighborhoods and get violent drug traffickers and gangs off our streets.”

Four of the defendants in the federal racketeering case are eligible for the death
penalty because of their involvement in the 2006 murder of the rival gang member identified as David Dragna, 44, who was collecting taxes without authorization.
Arrested were Cesar Munoz “Blanco” Gonzalez, 36, of Rowland Heights, Steven “Flaco” Nunez, 30, in state prison, Angel Frank “Smiley” Torres, 34, also in state prison.

“Authorities are continuing to search for two defendants named in the RICO
indictment – Adrian Rodriguez, also known as “Trips”, 25, of Huntington Park; and Henry
Rick Zabala, 40, of La Puente.”

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Fatal shooting reported in Pasadena

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This from the Pasadena Police Department:

PASADENA, CA – On Monday, May 25, 2010, at 10:22 p.m. officers responded to the area of Lincoln Avenue and Zanja Street on reports of shots fired. Approximately five minutes later, a local hospital notified the police department of the arrival of two gun shot victims, Emilo Landaverde, 22, and Oscar Mendez, 19, both Pasadena residents. Victim Landaverde later died from his injury. Victim Mendez was treated and remains in stable condition. The suspect was described as a Male Hispanic wearing a white t-shirt.

“The motive for this shooting is unknown,” says Interim Chief of Police Christopher Vicino. “Our detectives responded to the scene last night and are still investigating this senseless crime. It is our intent to find out who did this, bring them to justice and provide the families with some sense of closure.”

Police are asking anyone having information about this incident to contact the Pasadena Police Department at 626-744-4241 or Detectives at (626) 744-4522.

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Suspect in Art College professor’s slaying to be arraigned today

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Urgent advisory from the DA’s Office:

Def, Steven Honma, LA 064672, will be arraigned today at Van Nuys Superior Court, Department 100, 14400 Erwin St. Mall.

From the Ventura County Star:

The suspect in the killing of a design college teacher at a Westlake Village party is expected to make his first court appearance today.

Steven Ronald Honma, 54, of Westlake Village, has been booked into Los Angeles County’s Inmate Retention Center, and he is scheduled to appear this morning in Van Nuys Superior Court, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s web site.

Honma was charged Tuesday with murder and possessing a firearm with a prior conviction in connection with the shooting death of Norman Schureman at a Persian New Year’s party Saturday night in the 31700 block of Kentfield Court.

Schureman, 50, of Altadena, was an instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He was married and had two sons.

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Covina twins plead no contest in mom’s murder

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From Sandi Gibbons at the DA’s office:

POMONA – Twin sisters pleaded no contest today to elder abuse resulting in the death of their invalid mother and were immediately sentenced to state prison by a Superior Court commissioner in Pomona.

Deputy District Attorney Robin E. Allen of the Elder Abuse Section said Commissioner Wade Olsen sent each sister to prison for three years.

Justine Naomi Rosales and her sister, Jasmine Nicole, each was charged a year ago with one count of elder or dependent abuse resulting in death (Section 368(b)(1) of the California Penal Code). The case was filed after a lengthy investigation of the Feb. 27, 2007, death of 43-year-old Naomi Mendez, the twins’ mother.

Authorities said the victim was found dead at the family’s Covina home. The woman, who weighed 78 pounds at the time of her death, suffered from diabetes and other medical problems that limited her speech and required her to us a walker.

The defendants have remained in custody on $80,000 bail each since their arrests on April 22, 2009, by detectives with the Covina Police Department. The case against them was filed two days later.

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Eileen Ponce murder case moves closer to trial — a note from her mom

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Here’s the story as told by Fox 11 back in 2008:

Here’s the note from Tracy Ponce to friends and family:

Hi all,

Just wanted to share with you that I received an official subpoena from the District Attorney’s office to report as a witness in my daughter’s case on Feb. 11. So now it does look like, FINALLY, that the trial will soon begin. It will be two-years since we found my daughter Eileen on Feb. 15, 2008. Unfortunately, I’ll be going to the same courthouse where I found my daughter’s body, but either way, I’m thankful that the killer has been in custody and that we will be going to trial. I’m also going to court on Feb. 9 for the Readiness date (too see if both sides are actually ready to proceed) which now, I believe they both are since we received these subpoenas, and then on Feb. 11 is when they begin to select the jury, then afterwards the trial will start. I hear the trial may take up to 10-days.

Anyways, for those of you who have went to trial in your loved one case or who are still waiting, I wanted to share with you that after receiving the subpoena, it did something to me emotionally and I wasn’t expecting to feel that way and just wanted to know from those who have went to trial already, is this normal, or is this our kind of normal???

See, like many of us Parents Of Murdered Children, I have prayed to get to trial so that part could be put behind us, but when the day actually comes, it seems sort of surreal and for some reason it put a fear in me, why? I don’t know, because I pray everyday for Justice and I truly believe we will receive it, but I hate having that bit of doubt and confusion in my heart because it totally scared the hell out of me!!

Anyways, I presume the opening remarks will begin on that following Monday, Feb. 15 and if you have time available to support us in the courtroom, it will be greatly appreciated. The courthouse is located at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA. I’ll let you know the exact room number as soon as I know it. And if you can’t come, I understand, but if you believe in the power of prayer, I’m asking that you please pray for our family, the witnesses, the incoming jury and our DA during this time so that everything proceeds in an efficient manner and the killer is found GUILTY!!

Thank you!!

Tracy Ponce & Family

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Two charged in Azusa tot slaying

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From Sandi Gibbons at the DA’s Office:

POMONA – Two men were charged with murder by the District Attorney’s office today in last week’s shooting death of a 6-year-old boy who was killed while playing outside his home in Azusa.

Arraignment for both was scheduled for some time after 1:30 p.m. today in Department N. Pomona Superior Court.

Richard Paul Joseph Gomez, 21 (dob 10-17-1988), of Azusa, and Mathew Steven Loza, 20 (dob 11-3-1989), of West Covina, were charged in case No. KA 089283 with one count of murder. The boy, identified by authorities as Jessie Valencia, was shot to death outside his home in the 300 block of South Azusa Avenue on Jan. 8. The complaint alleged that Loza personally used a firearm, a 30-30 rifle, to commit the crime.

The complaint also charged Gomez, who authorities said lived across the street from the boy’s home, with one count of being an accessory after the fact. Gomez additionally was charged with one count of unlawful firearm activity for having a 30-30 rifle in his possession. The complaint alleged that the defendant had been convicted of a misdemeanor count of spousal battery.

Bail for each defendant was recommended at $1 million. If convicted, both could face possible maximum state prison terms of life with the possibility of parole.

Deputy District Attorney Duke Chau was assigned to prosecute the case.

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Two dead in Rosemead — murder/suicide

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From KABC: 

ROSEMEAD, Calif. (KABC) — A man and a woman were found shot and killed in Rosemead on Wednesday. Police are not looking for a suspect.

Authorities responded to the 2600 block of Earle Avenue just after midnight and found a male and a female, both in their 20s, shot in the head. The female victim was declared dead at the scene. The male victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

According to authorities, the couple dated and broke up a few months ago, but they still kept the lines of communication open. The young woman came to the home on Tuesday to pick up the man to go out for the day, and when they returned, things seemed fine.

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Many questions, few answers in death of El Monte educator Salcedo

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Rep. Judy Chu came out swinging Friday — demanding answers from the Mexican government in  the death of Bobby Salcedo. 

On Friday Chu’s office issued a statement urging Mexican authorities to solve the slaying. So far, there has been no official response from Mexico.
Here’s Chu’s statement:

Continue reading “Many questions, few answers in death of El Monte educator Salcedo” »

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