OCDA to oppose parole of man who killed a Santa Ana grandma in a drive-by

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2014

OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF INMATE CONVICTED OF KILLING 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN 2000 DRIVE-BY SHOOTING

SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a man convicted of murdering a 67-year-old Santa Ana woman in a drive-by shooting in 2000. Carlos Eduardo Sanchez, 30, is currently being held at Calipatria State Prison, Calipatria. Sanchez was sentenced Sept. 20, 2002, to 15 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste. Sanchez is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Feb. 11, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri will appear at the hearing to oppose Sanchez’s parole.

Circumstances of the Case

At approximately 9:50 p.m. on April 22, 2000, then-16-year-old Sanchez and two of his fellow gang members, 25-year-old Jorge Martinez and 23-year-old Antonio Leal, drove through the residential area of a rival gang with the intent to fire upon rivals. The inmate and his fellow gang members shot several rounds toward a house where the rival gang members were standing outside.

As they drove by and shot into a neighboring house, the men murdered 67-year-old Adela Rios while she was inside her home.

The three men fled the scene at a high rate of speed, but ultimately lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a building and proceeded to flee on foot. Sanchez and Martinez were the only two apprehended. Leal escaped and currently has a warrant for his arrest in this case.

Lack of Insight, Rehabilitation, and a Threat to Public Safety

While in state prison, Sanchez has been cited for six prison rule violations, including two violations for possession of a deadly weapon, two violations for possession of alcohol, and one violation each of theft and the manufacture of an electrical outlet.

Sanchez has failed to show complete insight and remorse into his life offense. Rather than taking responsibility for the murder, Sanchez continues to deny that he was aware of the shooting that was going to occur.

In the OCDA’s parole opposition letter, the People state, “While in state prison, the inmate has not been able to follow rules, in spite of being in a confined institution.” The People also state that Sanchez’s prison rule violations “appear to have been gang-related.”

Sanchez’s possible gang affiliations, his inability to follow rules in a structured environment, and his lack of insight into his crime demonstrates the risk he poses to the community and should, therefore, not be released.

###

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

See Full Bio