| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF2457, 10CF2449, 10CF2458 May 11, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami
|
GANG MEMBER SENTENCED 50 YEARS TO LIFE FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF MAN DURING BOTCHED DRUG SALE
*Three co-defendant gang members were charged in this case
SANTA ANA – A member of a Latino criminal street gang was sentenced today to 50 years to life in state prison for gang motivated conspiracy and first degree murder of a man during a botched drug sale. Robert Reil, 33, Orange, was found guilty by a jury on March 7, 2012, of one felony count each of first degree murder during the commission of a robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, street terrorism, and being an active participant in criminal street gang having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. The sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity were found true.
Co-defendant Amour Villamar, 32, Orange, is charged with one felony count of first degree murder during the commission of a robbery. Villamar faces sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity two prison prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine for sale in 2004 and unlawful taking of a car in 2009. Villamar is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Aug. 10, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-45, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Joseph Baez, 27, Orange, is charged with one felony count each of first degree murder during the commission of a robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, street terrorism, being an active participant in criminal street gang having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity. Baez is charged with sentencing enhancements for one prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in 2008 and one prison prior conviction for gang related fighting in public in 2004. He faces jury trial June 11, 2012, 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center.
Co-defendant Christian Galindo, 26, pleaded guilty Nov. 18, 2011, of one felony count each of voluntary manslaughter, and being an active participant in criminal street gang, with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Galindo was sentenced to 12 years and four months in state prison.
Reil and Galindo are guilty of and Baez and Villamar are accused of the following:
On Jan. 3, 2010, Baez, Reil, and Galindo, members of a Latino criminal street gang, plotted to steal drugs from a contact of fellow gang member Villamar while at a party together. They called Villamar and asked her to contact her drug dealer Bernal Ezquivel Felix to set up a meeting. Later that night, Villamar set up a meeting with the three co-defendants at the party by calling and arranging to meet Felix in Orange.