A gang member was convicted Monday of first-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of a 25-year-old man in a Santa Clarita park.
Nicolas Colletta, 21, of Saugus, was also found guilty of one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm, and the jury found gang, gun and great bodily injury allegations to be true.
Jurors deliberated for one hour Friday before reaching their verdict, which was sealed until Monday, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Colletta had three prior convictions in 2016 — for carrying an unregistered loaded handgun, possession of a blackjack and carrying a concealed dagger — and faces 50 years to life in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18.
Prosecutors said the defendant issued a gang challenge, asking where 25-year-old Ivan Solis was from, before gunning him down in Begonias Lane Park on July 11, 2017. Family members said Solis — whose body was found lying next to his bicycle — was the father of three children.
Co-defendant Jacqueline Arreola, 25, of Newhall, pleaded no contest on April 3 to one count of accessory after the fact and testified as a witness at Colletta’s trial. She is set to be sentenced Dec. 10 to three years formal probation and time served.
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