Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/27/08

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBER CONVICTED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
FACES LIFE SENTENCE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that on March 24, 2008 a member of the Norteno criminal street gang was convicted by a Sonoma County jury for charges related to a drive-by shooting of rival gang members in Santa Rosa in 2006. The jury found Angelo Carlos Gonzales, 26 years old, of Santa Rosa, guilty of four counts of assault with a Tech-9 assault pistol, one count of shooting at an occupied residence, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, two counts of possessing a firearm having previously been convicted of a felony, evading police officers, as well as numerous firearm and gang enhancements. He is facing a mandatory life sentence.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict in this troubling gang assault, which left a teenage girl seriously injured.”

Evidence at trial concerning the March 12, 2006, incident revealed that defendant Gonzales and a fellow Norteno targeted a group of rival Sureno gang members and associates gathered at a party off of Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. The shooting, with a Tech-9 semiautomatic assault pistol, took place outside the residence and was directed at the party-goers and a vehicle that had arrived at the residence. During the shooting of the vehicle, one of its occupants, a 14 year old girl, was shot in the back and very seriously injured. Santa Rosa Police Officer Eric Rhodes was driving near the scene at the time of shooting and immediately established contact with the suspects. Other Santa Rosa Police officers rapidly converged on the scene and, after a vehicle pursuit with Mr. Gonzalez, they apprehended him.

A co-defendant, Mr. Oscar Perez, is pending jury trial, scheduled for June 16, 2008, Department 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner handled the prosecution, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Denise Urton. Additional trial support was provided Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman, Legal Secretary Jennifer Zunino, Information Specialist John Magsamen and Legal Processor Joanne Depenbrock. Santa Rosa Police Gang Detective Josh Ludtke was the lead detective and gang expert on the case. The case was tried before the Honorable Ken Gnoss..