Amador County – A gang member who shot 2 people at the Jackson Rancheria Casino in March made a plea bargain Thursday (August 19th) in exchange for a 22-year prison sentence. Gilbert Zaragoza, 20, a resident of Stockton, “pled guilty to the felony charges of assault with a firearm and child abuse;” and “admitted that he personally used a firearm and committed the assault for the benefit of a criminal street gang,” Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said in a release. He said “in a separate case, Zaragoza pled guilty to a felony charge of damaging jail property,” and “as a result of the pleas and admissions, Zaragoza will receive 22 years in state prison.” The latter charges stem from an attempted escape from a cell in the Amador County Jail, after his arrest in March. The shooting charges “stem from a gang-related encounter that occurred inside the Jackson Rancheria Casino on March 14th,” when a “group that included Zaragoza, a known member of the Norteno street gang, dressed in predominantly red clothing, approached a group that included people from a rival street gang, which included victims Hamid Flores, 19,” and a male juvenile. “Words were exchanged and one of the people in Zaragoza’s group spit on the male juvenile’s shoe. The victims thought that there was about to be a fist fight, when Zaragoza pulled out a firearm and shot Flores in the face.” He also shot “the fleeing juvenile in the neck,” and “both victims survived.” Surveillance video at the Jackson Rancheria Casino helped to quickly identify Zaragoza and aided in his capture. Riebe credited the Amador County Sheriff’s Department in aiding the case by “promptly capturing Zaragoza and conducting a thorough and effective investigation.” He said the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department “provided valuable assistance in the investigation by assembling the evidence proving that Zaragoza was a gang member and that the crimes were committed to benefit the Norteno street gang.” Riebe said because Zaragoza pled guilty to a violent crime, considered a “strike” crime under the state’s “Three Strikes” law, he must serve 80 percent of his sentence before he can be released. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday, 23 August 2010 06:33
Jackson Rancheria Gang Shooter Pleads Guilty, Will Get 22-Year Sentence
Amador County – A gang member who shot 2 people at the Jackson Rancheria Casino in March made a plea bargain Thursday (August 19th) in exchange for a 22-year prison sentence. Gilbert Zaragoza, 20, a resident of Stockton, “pled guilty to the felony charges of assault with a firearm and child abuse;” and “admitted that he personally used a firearm and committed the assault for the benefit of a criminal street gang,” Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said in a release. He said “in a separate case, Zaragoza pled guilty to a felony charge of damaging jail property,” and “as a result of the pleas and admissions, Zaragoza will receive 22 years in state prison.” The latter charges stem from an attempted escape from a cell in the Amador County Jail, after his arrest in March. The shooting charges “stem from a gang-related encounter that occurred inside the Jackson Rancheria Casino on March 14th,” when a “group that included Zaragoza, a known member of the Norteno street gang, dressed in predominantly red clothing, approached a group that included people from a rival street gang, which included victims Hamid Flores, 19,” and a male juvenile. “Words were exchanged and one of the people in Zaragoza’s group spit on the male juvenile’s shoe. The victims thought that there was about to be a fist fight, when Zaragoza pulled out a firearm and shot Flores in the face.” He also shot “the fleeing juvenile in the neck,” and “both victims survived.” Surveillance video at the Jackson Rancheria Casino helped to quickly identify Zaragoza and aided in his capture. Riebe credited the Amador County Sheriff’s Department in aiding the case by “promptly capturing Zaragoza and conducting a thorough and effective investigation.” He said the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department “provided valuable assistance in the investigation by assembling the evidence proving that Zaragoza was a gang member and that the crimes were committed to benefit the Norteno street gang.” Riebe said because Zaragoza pled guilty to a violent crime, considered a “strike” crime under the state’s “Three Strikes” law, he must serve 80 percent of his sentence before he can be released. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
- Richard Forster previews this week's Amador County Board of Supervisors meeting with host, Tom Slivick. (2 of 2)
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News December 7, 2015 (1 of 2)
- Ebbetts Pass (State Route 4) Closed for Winter
- State HWY 89 Closed for the Winter
- Richard Forster on TSPN TV News November 23, 2015 (2 of 2)
