Patrol officers responded to a call for service regarding several individuals using narcotics outside the Los Cristales Bar, located at 1624 S. Standard Ave., in Santa Ana, according to the SAPD.
Upon arrival, officers detained multiple gangbangers who attempted to flee on foot. That usually does not pan out for the gangbangers as they often end up tripping over their baggy pants!
The police officers swiftly apprehended all the individuals, and as a result of the investigation two separate firearms and a variety of narcotics were recovered.
Three adult males and one adult female were booked at the Santa Ana City Jail on multiple firearm and narcotics-related charges.
In California, gang members arrested on multiple firearm and narcotics-related charges face severe penalties due to the state’s stringent laws aimed at curbing gang violence and criminal activities. Here are some key points:
Gang-Related Offenses
Under the California Penal Code Section 186.22, part of the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act, gang-related offenses carry enhanced penalties. This statute defines a “criminal street gang” as any group of three or more individuals with a common name or symbol, whose primary activities include committing certain criminal acts.
Sentencing Enhancements
For crimes committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a gang, the penalties can be significantly increased. For example:
- Standard felony convictions can be augmented by an additional two to four years in prison.
- Serious felonies, such as murder or attempted murder, can result in additional sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.
Firearm and Narcotics Charges
When gang members are arrested on multiple firearm and narcotics-related charges, these enhancements can further increase the severity of their sentences. The combination of these charges with gang-related enhancements can lead to substantial prison terms.
Legal Implications
The prosecution must establish that the defendant actively participated in the gang with knowledge of its criminal activities and that the crime was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with the gang. This often involves expert testimony, gang tattoos, and social media activity to demonstrate the defendant’s association with the gang.
