Gangmember gets 14 years prison in two attacks

A Norteño gangmember facing three life sentences for two separate attacks on rivals, including one that left him facing attempted murder charges, settled the dual cases in return for 14 years in prison.

Christian Serrano DeLeon, 22, pleaded no contest to felony assault with a firearm and gun and gang charges in an Aug. 14, 2011 shooting of a Sureño’s foot and pleaded no contest to felony assault and gang affiliation in a Dec. 27, 2010 assault. He was out of custody on the earlier case when he committed the second.

DeLeon, who receives credit of 390 days against his sentence and must serve 85 percent of the remainder, asked not to be sent to prison until Sept. 30. He remains in custody at the county jail without bail until that time.

Authorities arrested DeLeon after linking him to the shooting of Jose Monroy, 28, who was found bleeding from a gunshot wound to his foot on the 200 block of Grove Street. A few days later, another gunshot victim showed up at Seton Medical Center and deputies tracked down the suspects, including DeLeon. Authorities believe DeLeon and Monroy were in different gangs who exchanged slurs before DeLeon, who reportedly goes by "Spooky,” pulled out a handgun and fired. Monroy was hit in the foot and the other victim had a bullet lodged in his sternum.

During the search that turned up DeLeon, deputies reported finding a large quantity of marijuana and a bicycle that matched the description of the shooter’s bike. The bike had been painted a different color.

In May, prosecutors tired of waiting for a preliminary hearing asked a criminal grand jury to indict him on attempted murder and weapons charges. Prosecutors dropped the cases against the other suspects arrested because the evidence of involvement was insufficient.