Gang member receives 22-year sentence for stabbing an Anaheim man, leaving him paralyzed – Orange County Register

NEWPORT BEACH – A 32-year-old gang member was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Tuesday for stabbed a paralyzed man on the left side after confronting a group of graffiti vandals in Anaheim.

Alfredo Gabriel Villegas pleaded guilty June 11 to attempted murder and other charges stemming from the July 26, 2015 attack.

Judge Gregg Prickett of the Superior Court of Orange County placed a 23-year limit on the sentence when he agreed to plead guilty.

“He accepted responsibility,” said Villegas’ attorney, Ed Welbourn. “He feels a lot of regret for his actions. He told that to the victims in court. … He feels he has caused a lot of damage. ”

Police said in 2015 the 51-year-old victim was stabbed in the 100 block of South Stinson Street, near Lincoln Avenue, and suffered “life-changing injuries”.

Many people were “tagging a condemned building” when victims pulled up and told them to stop, Welbourn said. A fight broke out, with the defendants punching and kicking the victim as Villegas stabbed the man, Welbourn said.

Villegas pleaded guilty to attempted murder, disorderly conduct, assault with a force capable of causing major bodily injury, and participation in a street gang, all of which are felonies. He also admitted raising the sentence for gang activity and causing massive bodily harm that resulted in paralysis.

Increased sentencing for premeditated murder and some more aggravating situations was rejected as part of Villegas’ plea agreement. He will face a possible life sentence on those charges and the upliftment of the sentence.

Two other men involved in the earlier attack pleaded guilty.

Andrew Steven Morales, 30, pleaded guilty on February 22 last year to the sole charges of assault with a force capable of causing major bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, participation into gang activity and vandalism. He was convicted during his time in prison and released.

Co-defendant Jacob Antonio Weis, 28, who was arrested June 2, 2016, was sentenced to 13 years in prison last year, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to participating in gang activity and assault with a deadly weapon.

In both pleas, the charges of willful murder with the sentence enhanced to attempted murder first, which resulted in a life sentence, were dismissed along with the aggravated disorderly charges. more important.

Co-defendant Fernando Zaraterojo, 31, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder, aggravated anarchy, assault with force capable of causing major bodily injury and participation in gang activity , all felonies and face enhanced sentences for attempted murder and gang activity.