INDIO GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 92 YEARS IN PRISON

INDIO, CA - Today, August 13, 2009, Judge Randall White has sentenced Indio gang member Jose Jonathan Ocampo to 92-years to life in prison for murder and attempted murder with enhancements of using a firearm during the commission of his crimes and of committing the crimes for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

"Gang members have few options in Riverside County," said Assistant District Attorney Sara Danville. "If they don't leave our county or abandon their lifestyle we will send them to prison for a very long time."

On August 3, 2003, Ocampo shot two rival gang members because they had entered into an area his gang claimed as their territory. One of Ocampo's fellow gang members approached the rival gang members to challenge them to a fight. Ocampo then crept up from behind and shot both of the rival gang members, killing one of them and paralyzing the other. A witness told authorities that Ocampo shouted the name of his gang during the commission of his shooting.

This case, INF044800, was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Rodney Tethal. "Although the impacts of this gang member's actions can never be undone, I'm satisfied to know that he will never have another opportunity to terrorize our neighborhoods again." said Tethal.

Ocompo was sentenced in Department 2J of the Larson Justice Center.