*Three co-defendant gang members were charged in this case
SANTA ANA - A member of a Latino criminal street gang was convicted today of gang motivated conspiracy and special circumstances murder of a man during a botched drug sale. Robert Reil, 32, Orange, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, street terrorism, and being an active participant in criminal street gang having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. The sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity, one prior strike conviction for residential burglary in 2005 and three prison prior convictions for unlawful taking of a car in 1999, possession of a deadly weapon in 2003, and possession of methamphetamine in 2006 were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole at his sentencing May 11, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-38, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Amour Villamar, 32, Orange, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery. Villamar faces sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity two prison prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine for sale in 2004 and unlawful taking of a car in 2009. Villamar is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 16, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-45, Central Justice Center.
Co-defendant Joseph Baez, 27, Orange, is charged with one felony count each of special circumstances murder during the commission of a robbery, conspiracy to commit a robbery, street terrorism, being an active participant in criminal street gang having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and sentencing enhancements for being a gang member vicariously discharging a firearm causing death and criminal street gang activity. Baez is charged with sentencing enhancements for one prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in 2008 and one prison prior conviction for gang related fighting in public in 2004. He faces jury trial June 11, 2012, 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center.
