Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 01/05/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBERS CONVICTED IN HOME INVASION ROBBERY

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Pablo Alviso, age 25, Michael Bloom, age 25, and Efrain Barrios, age 24, pled guilty to first degree robbery and assault with firearms for their role in a 2005 home invasion robbery in Windsor. The defendants also admitted that one of the robbers discharged a firearm during the commission of the robbery, and that the crime was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang. All three defendants are documented Norteno gang members.

District Attorney Passalacqua said that gang members who commit violent crimes against citizens in the sanctity of their homes should expect to be vigorously prosecuted and sentenced accordingly.

The February 24, 2005 robbery occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. The three defendants, who were wearing ski masks, forced their way into the victims’ home through the front door. When the male victim struggled with the defendants at the entry way, one of the defendants shot him twice. The shooting victim’s adult daughter was also in the residence and was being held upstairs while her father struggled with the other robbers. The shooting victim suffered severe internal injuries, and spent several weeks in the hospital recovering.

The three defendants pled the morning their trial was to commence before Superior Court Judge Rene Chouteau. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2007. Pablo Alviso is expected to receive 31 years 4 months in state prison, Michael Bloom is expected to receive 29 years 4 months in state prison, and Efrain Barrios is expected to receive 32 years 8 months in prison. A fourth defendant, Amanda DeCamp, age 25, entered a guilty plea in 2005.

Deputy District Attorney David Barkhurst was the prosecutor assigned to the case and was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Denise Urton, Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman, and Victim Advocate Eric Hergenreder. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sergeant Carlos Basurto was the lead detective, and Deputy Michael Morarity was the gang expert on this successful investigation.