| For Immediate Release Case # 05ZF0085 June 19, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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FUGITIVE GANG MEMBER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MURDER OF FELLOW GANG MEMBER IN 1999 SHOOT-OUT WITH RIVALS
SANTA ANA – A fugitive gang member arrested in Virginia will be arraigned today for the 1999 murder of a fellow gang member in a drive-by shoot-out with rivals. Ca Van Le, 32, formerly of Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, and two felony counts of attempted murder, with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and the vicarious discharge of a firearm as a gang member. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 80 years to life in state prison. Le is being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned today, Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
Co-Defendants
Seven co-defendants were convicted by juries or pleaded guilty in this case. They include: Si Phu Do, 32; Khanh Tuan Hoang, 30; Nhan Hoang Le, 32; An Quoc Nguyen, 30, Bao Quoc Nguyen, 32; Hieu Ho Trong Thai, 32; and Thoung Si Truong, 34. The defendants received sentences ranging from 15 years in state prison up to 95 years to life in state prison.
Circumstances of the Crime
At the time of the crime, the eight defendants in this case were members of two rival gangs, hereafter Gang A and Gang B. It is the policy of the Orange County District Attorney’s office not to publicize the names of specific gangs.
Le is accused of being a member of Gang A, the same gang as the victim, and participating in the following:
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 4, 1999, a group of Gang A members were at a restaurant in Westminster known to be frequented by Gang B. Several Gang B members confronted the Gang A members and ultimately vandalized a vehicle and assaulted a member of Gang A using a metal steering wheel lock.
Over the course of that morning and afternoon, multiple retaliatory altercations occurred between members of the two gangs. Members of both gangs repeatedly armed themselves with firearms and drove around in search of rivals. On at least one occasion that day, shots were fired between vehicles of rival Gang A and Gang B members. The defendants engaged in gunfire, car chases, and other violent and aggressive behavior throughout the day.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 5, 1999, members of Gang A armed themselves and drove to the restaurant.