LOS ANGELES – A judge today sentenced two Hispanic gang members to a year and nine months behind bars for their racially-motivated attack on black juveniles in Compton, California on New Year’s Eve in 2012, according to federal prosecutors.
Jeffrey Aguilar, also known as Terco, 19, and Efren Marquez Jr., also known as Stretch and Junior, 21, were each sentenced to serve 21 months in prison along with three years of supervised release, officials said.
Both defendants pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, according to authorities.
Prosecutors said Aguilar and another individual physically attacked a 17-year-old African-American, who was walking down a street in the city of Compton.
Aguilar chased down and struck the victim in the head with a metal pipe. During the incident, Marquez threatened to shoot another African-American juvenile who was present, according to federal officials.
Attorney André Birotte Jr. for the Central District of California said: “The defendants’ attempt to rid their neighborhood of African-Americans serves as a sickening reminder that racial intolerance still exists in some segments of our community. For this egregious conduct, the defendants have received well-deserved prison terms
“Law enforcement is dedicated to protecting the civil rights of all members of our community and the outcome of this case is a great example of the close cooperation between all agencies involved to ensure that goal,” said Interim Sheriff John L. Scott of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.