3rd Man Sentenced in Revenge Killing on San Fernando Street

An admitted gang member from Pacoima who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the revenge killing of a youth was sentenced Friday to 16 years to life in state prison.

Rene Ledesma, 19, did not fire the shot that killed Leopoldo Diaz Jr., 16, on Nov. 17, 1984, but he did organize the attack, according to court documents. The shooting was in retaliation for the kidnaping and killing of Ruben Cruz, 18, according to the documents.

Two other men involved in the Diaz shooting were sentenced earlier.

Ledesma has since renounced his gang affiliation and called his former gang associates “cowards,” according to testimony.

San Fernando Superior Court Judge John H. Major said before sentencing Ledesma that he hoped the court’s action would deter gang violence.

“Over the past several months, this court has seen a number of senseless gang killings,” Major said. “It’s tragic. . . . I wish they could get the message that they will be dealt with just as hard as they can be.”

Major recommended that Ledesma be allowed to spend the first part of his term in custody of the California Youth Authority.

Gary Sarmiento, 20, who did not know the victim, saw Diaz walking along a San Fernando street and fired the single shot that killed him. Sarmiento pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 17 years to life in state prison. Gilbert Cole, 22, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was sentenced to six years in state prison.

According to court documents, the three men decided to shoot someone after Cruz’s brother told them that Cruz had been killed and asked whether they were going to avenge the death.

Cruz, who police said was not affiliated with a gang, was kidnaped Nov. 1, 1984, in front of an all-night market in Pacoima. His body was found in a Newhall canyon a month later.