| For Immediate Release June 28, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR 1997 ATTEMPTED MURDER IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING AGREES TO CONTINUE PAROLE HEARING TO 2016
*Inmate joined a violent Hispanic prison gang in 2010 while incarcerated
SANTA ANA – The Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (Board), continued the parole hearing to 2016 for a criminal street gang member convicted of attempting to murder a random victim in a 1997 drive-by shooting. Alfonso Gudino, 32, formerly of La Habra, is currently being held at Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City, CA, and was scheduled for a parole hearing today. Prior to the hearing, the inmate conceded that his parole would be denied and stipulated to a 5-year continuance.
Gudino was convicted by a jury Sept. 22, 1998, of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, permitting another to shoot from a motor vehicle, and committing the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang. He was sentenced Dec. 18, 1998, to life in state prison plus three years.
While incarcerated in 2010, the inmate joined a violent Hispanic prison gang. He stipulated to a 5-year parole hearing continuance with the knowledge that his recent gang association would prevent him from being paroled. Gudino is now denying his association with the gang and indicated to the Board that he intends to challenge his classification as a member.
Deputy District Attorney Troy Pino of the Gang Unit appeared at the hearing by video conference to oppose parole for Gudino.
Attempted Murder Case
On May 10, 1997, Gudino and two fellow gang members drove into a La Habra neighborhood armed with a loaded firearm in search of a random victim to shoot and murder. Gudino observed 19-year-old John Doe, whom he recognized from the neighborhood but did not know, in a nearby car. The inmate and his fellow gang members drove past the victim’s vehicle and attempted to murder him by firing three shots into the car. Gudino and his co-defendants then fled the scene. The bullets struck the victim’s vehicle, but John Doe was uninjured.
A witness called 911 to report the shooting and provide a vehicle description of the shooters. That same day, Gudino was pulled over by police officers while driving a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car. He was in possession of a loaded revolver under the backseat with expended casings in its cylinder. Gudino and the two other gang members had gunshot residue on them and were arrested. A subsequent test of a bullet fragment stuck in the victim’s car was matched to the gun found in Gudino’s vehicle.