Sting leads to arrests of alleged gangsters
AIRPORT COURTHOUSE Charges have been filed against three of the eight suspected West LA gang members arrested earlier this month in connection with the murders of 15-year-old Eddie Lopez and 20-year-old Miguel Martin, as well as several drive-by shootings during what police have called a two-year “reign of terror” in the Pico Neighborhood.
Jose Contreras Zapien, also known as “Youngster,” has been charged with two counts of murder, nine counts of attempted murder, and other weapons charges, including a special gang enhancement. He faces life in prison.
Prosecutors have not decided whether or not to seek the death penalty.
Zapien, 18, is being held without bail at the men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, according to the sheriff’s department.
Noah Farris, also known as “Cowboy,” has been charged with assault with the intent to inflict great bodily harm. The 26-year-old also faces a gang enhancement, which could increase his sentence to eight years if convicted.
Farris was released from custody on Feb. 17 after posting $110,000, according to the latest information provided by the sheriff’s department’s inmate information center.
Jon Anthony Carillo, also known as “Wino,” has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and other weapons charges, and faces a gang enhancement. If convicted on all counts, Carillo, 19, could face up to 40 years in prison, prosecutors said. Carillo is being held on $1 million bail.
A hearing has been set for March 15 in Division 144 of the Airport Courthouse, according to Deputy District Attorney Kevin Stennis, who is prosecuting the case.
The three were arrested along with five other suspected gang members on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, after officers with the Santa Monica and Los Angeles police departments served several search and arrest warrants in West Los Angeles and Venice. Officers believed the seven men and one 15-year-old girl played roles in a number of high-profile shootings in Santa Monica, including those that killed Lopez and Martin.
Lopez was killed on Feb. 28, 2006, while walking with friends near the corner of Pico Boulevard and 26th Street. Martin was killed on Dec. 27, 2006, also walking with friends, along Pico Boulevard near Virginia Avenue Park.
Several other shootings took place in the Pico Neighborhood, including one across the street from Edison Elementary School, while children were in the school playground. Another occurred on Oct. 21, 2006, during which a young woman was shot in the leg as she walked into her apartment complex.
In addition to Farris, two other men arrested during the early morning raids — Victor Torres and Andres Castillo — have since been released, but with no charges being filed against them, said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla.
The three juveniles rounded up remain in custody, however, Padilla could not say whether charges have been filed due to their ages. If any of the juveniles are subsequently charged as an adult, their identities would then be made public, Padilla said.
“This is still an ongoing investigation, and we have served other search warrants following the initial arrest and recovered further evidence that could lead to additional charges being filed,” Padilla said. “This is still a very solid case and the fact that someone is released doesn’t mean the case is any weaker.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.