By KAREN VELIE After eight months, five Santa Maria MS-13 gang members, each charged with at least 40 crimes including nine homicides and 14 attempted murders, were found guilty on Thursday of the …
After eight months, five Santa Maria MS-13 gang members, each charged with at least 40 crimes including nine homicides and 14 attempted murders, were found guilty on Thursday of the majority of the charges.Amid a string of gang violence, murders in Santa Maria increased from three in 2014 to 13 in 2015. Another six people were killed in the city in Jan. 2016.
In March 2016, authorities arrested 15 foreign nationals from Honduras and El Salvador and detained another 40 individuals as part of a multi-state operation targeting suspects in Santa Maria’s murder spree. Of the 10 defendants in the local case, Juan Membreno, Tranquilino Moraeles, Luis German Orellana, Juan Carlos Serrano and Marcos Torres were found guilty on Thursday of a majority of the charges. The case continues on Monday to determine further issues.
Two of the remaining defendants signed plea agreements, while three others are currently in trial in Santa Barbara.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ep. 485 — Maria Ressa - The Axe Files with David Axelrod - Podcast on CNN AudioNobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa faces 100 years in prison stemming from what she says are illegitimate charges, but that hasn’t stopped her mission of exposing political malfeasance and lies in her home country of the Philippines. She joined David to talk about immigrating to the US as a child and later returning to the Philippines where she built a career, technology’s corrosive impact on journalism and democracy, founding Rappler and finding herself a government target, and maintaining hope as she fights corruption and disinformation through her journalism.
Read more »
'Extremely dangerous' teen convicted of killing mom missing from Santa Ana halfway houseOrange County District Attorney's officials Friday warned the public about an 'extremely dangerous and violent criminal' who went missing from a halfway house.
Read more »
Neal Taylor Nature Center: Santa Barbara County's hidden jewel | Judith DaleAnother museum is somewhat hidden away and off the beaten path. Still, it is also well worth a visit: The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake. It is like
Read more »
Hyundai begins US electric vehicle production in Alabama with Electrified Genesis GV70, hybrid Santa FeHyundai's motor manufacturing plant in Alabama will begin building the Electrified Genesis GV70 and the hybrid version of the Santa Fe later this year.
Read more »
Santa Ana youth soccer coach arrested for allegedly molesting 14-year-oldA youth soccer coach from Santa Ana was arrested for alleged molestation and possession of child pornography.
Read more »
Gasoline prices dropping faster but Santa Barbara County average still at top in So CalThe average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline dropped at an increasing rate over the last week, driven by increased amounts of imported and locally produced oil combined
Read more »