George Renteria

SPPD: Gang member skips jury’s verdict
but will be in court for sentencing

December 19, 2014
Santa Paula News

A Santa Paula gang member wasn’t in court last week to hear the verdict on his trial on charges related to assault with a deadly weapon but he’s sure to be there when he’s sentenced next month.

The defendant, 24-year-old George Renteria, has since been arrested according to Santa Paula Police Senior Officer Allen Macias of the SPPD Gang Unit.

Present or not, Renteria was found guilty by a Ventura County jury December 12.

He was on trial for charges related to an August 23, 2012 assault with a deadly weapon that included the use of a firearm with a special allegation that he violated the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act, more commonly known as gang enhancement.  

Renteria, said Macias, “Is a documented member of the ‘Crimies’ gang in Santa Paula,” who was found to have “committed the felonious attack for the benefit of the Crimies gang.” 

Mid-way through the trial, Renteria failed to appear in court when ordered to do so by the Judge, who issued a bench warrant to arrest the gang member.

“At the time when the verdict was announced, Renteria,” said Macias, “was still outstanding.”

The SPPD worked with the Ventura County Sheriffs Gang Unit and Renteria was located in the City of Camarillo where he was arrested without incident. 

“The investigation,” noted Macias, “was a combined effort between the Santa Paula Police Department Patrol Division and Investigations/Gang Unit. 

Renteria is scheduled to return to court to be sentenced in January of 2015 and because of the warrant he won’t be released.

When he is sentenced, Macias said Renteria could “face up to 19 years in state prison... “

A familiar face to the SPPD, Renteria has been arrested over the years on charges ranging from driving without a license and street terrorism to possession of a concealed weapon.

In late July 2012 Renteria was part of a sweep that netted seven men suspected of criminal gang activity and crimes associated with same. 

Also arrested that day was Jesse Moten, then 20 years old and now being sought as the suspect in the June 2013 shooting death of Joseph Arellano, 24 of Santa Paula. 





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