Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

May 13, 2007

Anti-Gang Activist Pleads in Drug Possession Case

SAN FERNANDO – The director of job development for Communities in Schools, one of the largest gang-intervention programs in the San Fernando Valley, pleaded no contest today to transportation of a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Mario Antonio Corona, 30, entered the plea before San Fernando Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig, said Deputy District Attorney Jack Garden with the Hardcore Gang Division. Corona is scheduled to be sentenced to two years, eight months in state prison when he is sentenced May 25.

“Unfortunately the image Mario Corona was portraying of assisting troubled youth and gang members was not accurate,” Garden said. “This plea today demonstrates he continued his criminal activity, including dealing in a significant amount of methamphetamine and possessing a gun.”

Corona was arrested Feb. 28 in Sylmar by LAPD’s Foothill Division Narcotics Unit as part of a larger investigation. Officers allegedly found nearly a pound of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Following his arrest, police searched his home and discovered a 9 mm handgun.

He was originally charged with transportation of a controlled substance and possession for sale of methamphetamine. The complaint was amended to add one count of felon in possession of a gun. In return for his plea, the possession for sale will be dismissed.

Corona, an admitted former gang member, was released and then re-arrested by federal authorities as an illegal immigrant. He is facing deportation after he serves his prison sentence, officials said.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.