Sun. Aug 3rd, 2025
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Jose Luis Salgado, a 24-year-old man, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, July 30, and he was then sentenced to 13 years in prison for participating in the murdering of a man in Santa Ana so the killers could steal his bike, five years ago.

Salgado pleaded guilty to felony charges of voluntary manslaughter and street terrorism. One of his co-defendants, Luis Davilasilva, 25, is still facing his own trial.

Jesus Gonzalo Ibarra, 27, yet another co-defendant, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in jail on Dec. 8, 2020, for felony charges of participating in gang activity, being an accessory after the fact, being an active participant in a gang carrying a loaded gun in public and receiving stolen property.

Salgado’s case took a while to wind through the courts. He has been behind bars since July 30, 2020.

The victim, Pedro Morale Chocoj, 31, of Santa Ana was attacked on July 23, 2020, at about 7:45 p.m. by those wanting to steal his bicycle.

His body was found the following day on a dirt path next to the Santa Ana Riverbed north of Fifth Street.

Chocoj was residing in Santa Ana with his brother and sending money to his wife and kids in El Salvador.

Four days after the attack, Santa Ana detectives tracked down the bicycle to the 900 block of Fair Way, thanks to a tip that also led them to a suspect, police said.

Given the charges involved in this case—likely including murder, gang enhancements, and robbery—Davilasilva could face a lengthy prison sentence, potentially 25 years to life, depending on the specific charges, enhancements, and the outcome of the trial.

By Art Pedroza

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.

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