| For Immediate Release Case # 08CM13168
January 2, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
ENJOINED ORANGE GANG MEMBER CONVICTED
OF VIOLATING GANG INJUNCTION BY USING GANG HAND SIGNS WHILE TAKING PHOTO WITH SANTA
IN SAFETY ZONE MALL
SANTA ANA – An enjoined member of a Hispanic criminal street gang from Orange pleaded guilty today to charges of violating a gang injunction by associating with other gang members at a mall inside the Safety Zone and using gang hand signs while taking a photo with Santa Claus. Uriel Oliva, 18, Anaheim, pleaded guilty this morning to two misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order for gang association and gang hand signs. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Oliva will be deported as a result of this conviction.
On Dec. 16, 2008, Oliva, an enjoined criminal street gang member, associated with four other documented gang members at the Village Mall at 1500 E. Village Way, which is located in the Orange Safety Zone. Oliva also used gang hand signs in the photograph. All of the gang members were taking a photo at the mall with Santa Claus. Several children and families were present.
A gang injunction is a civil order that restricts or prohibits documented gang members from participating in specific acts or activities and is designed to curb intimidating or harassing behavior. The terms of the Orange gang injunction include a restriction that prohibits association of named defendants with other named defendant of their respective gang. Association includes standing, sitting, walking, driving, bicycling, gathering, or appearing anywhere in public or public view with any known member of the gang. The terms also prohibit gang hand signs, gang clothes, and other restrictions. This 1.4 square mile designated as a gang-free Safety Zone consists of residential and commercial areas in Orange.
Deputy District Attorney Bobby Taghavi of the TARGET Unit prosecuted this case.
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