Local News in Brief : 2 Plead Guilty in Assault
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Two reputed gang members who were charged with attempting to kill a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney pleaded guilty Wednesday to assault with a firearm.
Richard Barela, 28, of La Puente, and Joaquin Serna-Vera, 25, of El Monte, were accused of driving to the Diamond Bar home of Deputy Dist. Atty. Linda Bloxsom last December, pointing a gun at her and issuing a threat. At the time, Bloxsom was prosecuting Barela’s brother, Arturo, in connection with a gang-related rape and kidnaping.
In exchange for the plea in Los Angeles Superior Court, attempted murder charges were dismissed against Serna-Vera and Barela.
Deputy Atty. Gen. Roy Preminger, who handled the case because the victim was a deputy district attorney, said his office will recommend that Serna-Vera serve eight years in prison and Barela get five years. Sentencing was set for Jan. 12.
Arturo Barela, 39, was sentenced last year to 52 years in prison.
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