State high court refuses to hear appeal in La Mirada murder conviction

La Mirada-  The California Supreme Court today refused to hear an

appeal by a man convicted for his part in a murder-for-hire at La Mirada Creek Park in 1992.

A full report from wire service City News Service can be found here courtesy of mynewsla.com.

La Mirada man to plead guilty in credit card skimming and drug cases

Russell Jay Ogden

Also in Public Safety News

A skateboarder struck by a vehicle Monday remains unidentified

A local marijuana store targeted for closure appears out of business

***Updated*** 11/15/18  4 p.m.


Russell Jay Ogden pleaded guilty in a Downtown Los Angeles courtroom this morning, admitting his involvement in a credit card skimming scheme along with his wife and in a separate case pleaded guilty to two drug distribution charges City News Service reports.

Ogden will return for sentencing next March and faces a minimum 12-year sentence.  Federal inmates serve 85% of their sentences.

Ogden's wife Shelley, 42, is already serving a 56-month term for her part in the credit card scheme according to the wire service.

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/11/15/la-mirada-man-pleads-guilty-to-socal-credit-card-skimming-scheme-2/

***************************************************************************

11/15/18  11:35 a.m.  (Original Post)


A La Mirada man is expected to plead guilty to federal bank fraud charges related to his part in a
credit card skimming scheme during his appearance in federal court today according to a City News Service report.

Russell Ogden,44, aka 'Big Dog' a resident of the Foster Park area was arrested last year along with 12 other suspects, most of which had ties to gangs in Norwalk and La Mirada.

Ogden is also expected to plead guilty to federal drug distribution charges in a separate case.

Read the entire wire story at: 

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/11/15/la-mirada-man-to-plead-guilty-to-socal-credit-card-skimming-scheme/

350 year sentence handed to woman deadly La Mirada and Whittier crime spree

A woman convicted last month for her role in a 2017 shooting rampage left a father of two dead in La Mirada was handed a 350 year state prison sentence today.

Reyna Gomez, along with Alejandro Lazo went on a two-hour crime binge that started with the shooting of a rival gang member, followed by a carjacking, three more random shooting sending two to the hospital, ending with the tragic events that occurred at Alicante Rd and Santa Gertrudes Av.

It was at that intersection that Gomez and Lazo unleashed a volley of gunfire at numerous motorist waiting at a red light, striking Jose Ricardo Sahagun, a social worker from Norwalk several times.

Sahagun died right there, at that La Mirada intersection, as his wife and two sons helplessly watched. 

Lazo will be tried separately sometime in early 2019.

For detailed coverage of today's sentencing, the following stories were filed reporters from the LA Times and City News Service after attending the hearing.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-shooting-rampage-sentence-20181030-story.html

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/10/30/woman-sentenced-to-more-than-350-years-in-prison-for-deadly-crime-spree/

Woman convicted in deadly two-hour crime spree to be sentenced

A Whittier woman found guilty last month for her part in a two-hour crime spree in April 2017 that left a father of two dead in La Mirada will be sentenced Tuesday morning at the Southeast

Courthouse in Norwalk.

Reyna Gomez, 28, a documented Whittier gang member faces a sentence of as much as 280 years after she was found her guilty of one count of murder, 14 counts of attempted murder, and one count of carjacking. 

There will be a sentencing enhancement after special circumstances of being a gang member and using a gun were found to be true.

The jury deadlocked on a torture allegation.

Her boyfriend Alejandro Lazo, 22, of Whittier, will stand trial early next year on the same charges.  Prosecutors allege Lazo committed the crimes with Gomez.

On April 29, 2017 authorities state Gomez and Lazo first encountered a rival gang member and shot him on Carmenita Rd in South Whittier, then drove to Pico Rivera where the next victim was carjacked.

The pair then headed to East Whittier, shooting a man walking down an alley, then at two occupied vehicles missing their occupants.

They then drove to Santa Gertrudes Av and Alicante Rd and began shooting at numerous drivers waiting for a green light at the signal with several of the shots striking Jose Sahagun, of Norwalk.

Sahagun died at the scene in front of his wife and sons from his injuries.

Gomez and Lazo were arrested later that night when a citizen called Whittier Police reporting that both were inside a car at a budget motel in Santa Fe Springs with gunshot wounds.

Conviction of hitman in 1992 La Mirada Creek Park murder upheld

A state appellate court has upheld the conviction of the gunman that was hired to kill a co-conspirator's wife at La Mirada Creek Park in 1992 according to a City News Service report.

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/09/20/hired-killers-murder-conviction-upheld/

Sentence of just over 10 years given to DUI Driver that killed La Mirada man

Santa Ana-   A Cerritos man that was handed a sentence of 10 years and 8 months for causing the

death of a La Mirada man in a DUI crash as the victim was leaving a family dinner on Mother's Day 2015.

Steven Gerard Cruz, 35, was driving close to 90 m.p.h. with a .11 blood-alcohol-level attempting to clear an intersection on Orangethorpe Avenue in Buena Park before a traffic signal would turn red according to City News Service.

Cruz was found guilty by a jury in August.

The victim was William Bradford Parker, 82, of La Mirada.

For further details

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/09/20/drunk-driver-gets-nearly-11-years-for-deadly-crash/

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/08/28/man-convicted-of-manslaughter-in-mothers-day-crash/

Breaking News: Woman found guilty in 2017 deadly shooting rampage

Sept. 13, 2018  7:21 p.m.

Norwalk-   A jury has found Reyna Gomez, 27, of Whittier, guilty in the April 29, 2017 shooting rampage across four communities that left a man dead in La Mirada, and three others with gunshot wounds.

Gomez took turns with her boyfriend, Alejandro Lazo, 21, of Whittier taking random shots at numerous victims as they drove two different stolen vehicles through parts of Whittier and La Mirada over a two-hour period.

The crime spree ended with the fatal shooting of Jose Sahagun, 44, of Norwalk while he stopped waiting for a red light at Santa Gertrudes Av and Alicante Road.  Sahagun died of gunshot wounds as his two young sons and wife looked on helplessly.

A trial for the second defendant, Mr. Lazo will commence next year.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Update 7:45 p.m.

From the Whittier Daily News

https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2018/09/13/whittier-woman-accused-in-deadly-2017-shooting-spree-found-guilty-of-murder-other-charges/

La Mirada News Briefs: Guilty verdict in deadly crash, images of La Mirada burglary suspect

August 30, 2018

La Mirada-   An Orange County jury found a Cerritos man guilty of manslaughter while DUI in a 2015 crash that killed a La Mirada man as he was leaving a Buena Park restaurant at Orangethorpe Ave and Knott Ave.

Evidence presented in the trial pointed towards Steven Gerard Cruz, 35, was traveling about 90 m.p.h. with an .11 BAC level (blood alcohol) and attempting to beat a yellow light according to a City News Service report.

Witnesses testified that Cruz struck the car that the La Mirada man, William Parker, 82, was driving as he was exiting a parking lot from a Mother's Day dinner and was struck by Cruz.

More  https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/08/28/man-convicted-of-manslaughter-in-mothers-day-crash/

Photos released of wanted La Mirada burglary suspect

Norwalk-  Detectives that are trying to solve a late July burglary at a La Mirada residence have released several images that were captured of the suspect by surveillance cameras at the home.

The suspect entered a garage at a home in the 15000 block of Badlona Drive and can be seen on video taking 12 bottles of wine.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Patten at the Norwalk Station Detective Biureau at 562 902-2978.

Trial to begin today for one suspect in deadly 2017 crime spree

2nd suspect to be tried late this year on 16 felony counts including a La Mirada murder

NORWALK-   The trial for one of two suspects in a deadly crime spree last year was expected to begin this morning for Reyna Gomez, 26, of Whittier in Department H at the Superior Court Building in Norwalk.

Gomez has elected to have a trial by jury.

Last Friday it was determined that the two suspects would have separate trials after appearing at most court hearings at the same time since the accusation was filed in court.

The second suspect in the case, Alejandro Lazo, 21, also of Whittier is expected to go to trial in October.

Gomez and Lazo, are accused of killing a Norwalk father of two in La Mirada, four additional random shooting incidents that left three men hospitalized with gunshot wounds and a carjacking on April 29th over a three hour period on a Saturday afternoon.

The self-proclaimed gang members have both pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder, 14-counts of attempted murder, and one count of carjacking.  Gomez also faces an additional charge of torture for shooting one of the Whittier victim's in the groin.

Jose Sahagun, 44, lost his life in the 3-hour crime spree 

Lazo will be tried separately tentatively in November and is being held on bail set at $16 Million at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic

The tragedy began to unfold at about 1 p.m. when shots fired from the Kia Rio SUV they were in struck a man in the leg in the 10000 block of Carmenita Road in South Whittier.

About three miles to the northwest the pair resurfaced at about 2:15 p.m.when they took a man's green Nissan Pathfinder SUV at gunpoint in the 11100 block of Rose Hedge Drive in unincorporated West Whittier.  The man was not injured.

Just over an hour later a man in his 50's walking down a sidewalk behind the Starbucks on Whittier Blvd and Colima Road was randomly shot in the groin by Gomez from the stolen SUV at 3:35 p.m.

Just minutes later two motorists were shot at, but missed, while stopped for a red-light at Colima Rd and Lambert Rd.

Lazo and Gomez proceeding south into La Mirada where again another motorist was targeted as they passed by the area of the Del Taco restaurant in the 15000 block of Imperial Hwy hitting a man in the arm at about 4 p.m.

The stolen Pathfinder continued down Imperial about a mile, making a right turn onto Santa Gertrudes.

Just up ahead, only seconds down the road motorists stopped for a red light at Alicante Road were about to be terrorized by two thugs out for a joyride were about to unleash a barrage of bullets in all directions leaving two young boys ages four and six watching as their father died before there very eyes.

The father 44-year-old Jose Sahagun, a social worker employed by Los Angeles County, died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene as his wife Agueda also looked on.

None of the other motorists that were fired at were hit.

Several hours later at 6:30 p.m. the stolen Pathfinder was found abandoned at Amelia E. Mayberry Park on Meyer Road in South Whittier

About 8 p.m. that same night Whittier Police received a call from the Budget Inn in the 15000 block of Carmenita Road about a person being shot.  Lazo and Gomez were both found inside a stolen vehicle with gunshot wounds of their own. An alert officer at the scene noticed the two matched the descriptions from the earlier shooting spree and further investigation confirmed the involvement of the pair.

Gomez is being held on $16,050,000 bail at the Century Regional Detention
Center in Lynwood.

Man in attempted La Mirada bank robbery sentenced to three years

Santa Ana-  A Fullerton man who pleaded guilty to robbing two banks in La Habra and Anaheim and a third attempt in La Mirada 2017 was handed a three-year prison sentence by a federal judge on Monday the Orange County Register reports.

Steven Barry Reisman, 59, also dubbed the 'Mum's the word Robber 'by the FBI was arrested within hours after robbing the Bank of the West branch in La Habra at 1340 South Beach Blvd on June 12, 2017. 

Los Angeles Sheriff's detectives received a tip after a photo from the June 5th incident in La Mirada at the Bank of the West at 12709 Valley View Avenue was released by the news media about the identity of the man who was arrested at his Fullerton home. 

The man was given his nickname by FBI investigators after learning that Reisman never said a word and passed notes to tellers with all his demands.  Reisman told arresting detectives that the reason he turned to robbery was so he could pay his bills.

28 years to life sentence in 1992 La Mirada Creek Park murder

NORWALK-   Leon Andrew Martinez, 44, received a 28 years to life prison term after being convicted in March 2015 for the murder-for-hire of a woman at Creek Park on July 23, 1992 City News Service first reported.

The sentence was handed down by Judge Robert Higa at Norwalk Superior Court today.

Martinez was hired by Morrad Ghonim, 44, to kill his 17 year-old wife, Victoria Ghonim to stage a robbery gone bad while the couple sat in their car in the park parking lot with their one-year old son.

A Sheriff's criminalist in the Scientific Services Bureau DNA section re-examined evidence in 2009 gathered from the crime scene and came up with a match on Martinez.

It wasn't until after the arrest of Martinez that detectives learned of the plot.

Detectives were able to locate Ghonim after more than four years remarried and living on the Caribbean island of Aruba. He was extradited back to Los Angeles County in May 2015, several weeks after Martinez had already been convicted for being the trigger man.

Martinez ultimately received a lighter sentence after agreeing to testify against
Ghonim,

Despite his claims of innocence Ghonim was found guilty of his involvement in November 2016 by a  jury that heard Ghonim's second wife corroborate some of Martinez's testimony. Ghonim received a life sentence without parole.

More: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Hired-Hitman-Sentenced-to-28-Years-to-Life-Behind-Bars-in-2-Decade-Old-Murders-423710814.html


Excellent coverage from Ruby Gonzalez of Southern California News Group  http://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20170522/hit-man-gets-28-years-to-life-for-killing-la-mirada-mother-in-1992?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not guilty plea entered in La Mirada shooting spree

DOWNEY-   Court proceedings  finally went underway Friday as one of the defendants entered a not guilty plea in a series of shooting April 30 that left killed one man dead, and injured three others in La Mirada, South Whittier, and Whittier.

Reyna Gomez, 27, of Whittier entered not guilty pleas on one charge of murder, 14 attempted murder counts, and additional charges of torture, and carjacking.

Gomez will be arraigned again after her attorney has a chance to study the accusations on May 30 in Norwalk Superior Court.

The delay in beginning judicial proceeding was necessitated due to hospitalization from gunshot wounds received by an unnamed  perpetrator just before her arrest at a Santa Fe Springs motel.

Gomez is currently being held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility on $16 million bail.

The other defendant in the case, Alejandro Lazo, 21, of Whittier was due to be arraigned today.