Two plead guilty to 2000 killing of fellow gang member in Mesquite
Two men with gang ties in Mesquite pleaded guilty last week in the 2000 slaying of a fellow gang member.
Paul Lopez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, and Freddy Ponce pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery in the death of Roberto Carlos Gonzales, 25, in 2000.
Lopez, 30, faces a sentence of 20 years to life in prison without parole, and Ponce, 29, faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo said.
Both men will be sentenced at a later date by Judge Michael Villani.
The two men took a plea deal from prosecutors as jury selection for their trial was under way.
According to a Las Vegas police report, Gonzales' death was planned by members of the Rebels 13 street gang, who believed Gonzales was a "snitch" for police.
Gonzales was found dead in an area known as the Caskeros, near Hafen Lane in Mesquite.
The Clark County coroner's office determined he was beaten to death.
Authorities think he was attacked with baseball bats after being lured to the site by the promise of beer.
In a separate case, Lopez is set to stand trial for murder in May and could face the death penalty if he is convicted.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@
reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039
