Free Republic

Fifty-seven suspected gang members were arrested after a yearlong investigation into the death of a CHP officer who was shot by a 16-year-old boy outside a courthouse, authorites said Monday. Investigators from local, state and federal agencies began arresting the suspected members of the Pomona 12th Street Sharkies gang Friday on charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder to weapons and drug-related violations, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in a statement. Authorities used wiretaps, informants, surveillance and undercover agents during the investigation to obtain evidence against alleged gang leaders. Authorities seized dozens of weapons, more than $43,000 in cash,...

A driver who was allegedly drunk when he struck and killed a California Highway Patrol officer last weekend pleaded innocent to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, authorities said. Domingo Esqueda, 20, could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted of killing motorcycle officer John Bailey, 36, who was married and had four children. Esqueda was arraigned Tuesday in San Bernardino County Superior Court in Victorville. Authorities say Bailey was driving home to Adelanto Saturday night when he pulled over another motorist for investigation of drunk driving on Interstate 15 near Hesperia. Bailey was talking with the motorist on the...

POMONA, Calif. (AP) - A 16-year-old boy who admitted shooting to death a California Highway Patrol officer outside a courthouse to impress a street gang was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Valentino Mitchell Arenas pleaded guilty in December to first-degree murder for killing Officer Thomas Steiner, 35, outside the Pomona courthouse on April 21, 2004. Pomona Superior Court Judge Philip Gutierrez issued the maximum sentence. Arenas was not eligible for the death penalty because of his age. During the sentencing hearing, Steiner's wife, Heidi, called Arenas a "cold-blooded" killer. "This was the ultimate hate...