LOS ANGELES – Three men were charged in the October 2002 kidnapping, rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl who was abducted on her way to school in Montebello and found dead a day later, the District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Eddie Chavira, 30, Daniel Cervantes, 35, and George Barraza, 35, are charged along with co-defendant Rosemary Chavira, 28, of Lancaster, who pleaded not guilty in March to killing Brenda Sierra. Barraza remains at large.
Prosecutors said Sierra was killed in an apparent effort to prevent a relative from testifying against one of the defendants in an unrelated shooting case.
The teenager disappeared Oct. 18, 2002, while walking from her home to a friend’s home in the East Los Angeles area to catch a ride with a friend to school.
The high school sophomore’s body was discovered the next day in the San Bernardino Mountains. She had been raped and died of blunt-force trauma to the head, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
At the time of the girl’s disappearance, Eddie Chavira was in custody for a shooting witnessed by one of Sierra’s relatives, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Eddie told a fellow member of his East Los Angeles street gang that he was going to have other gang members take care of the witnesses. About the same time, prosecutors said, he called his younger sister, Rosemary, to ask for her help.
In addition to the murder count, Rosemary Chavira, Cervantes and Barraza are facing one count each of conspiracy to dissuade a witness and forcible rape and the special circumstance allegation that Sierra was murdered during the commission of a kidnapping, along with an allegation that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Rosemary Chavira was arrested Feb. 27 near her home in Lancaster. She cannot face the death penalty because she was 15 when Sierra was kidnapped and killed, according to the District Attorney’s Office. She faces a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole. She is due back in court Aug. 4 when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing.
Eddie Chavira, currently in prison on an unrelated manslaughter conviction, is facing the murder count and a charge of conspiracy to intimidate a witness. He faces 25 years to life if convicted as charged.
Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Cervantes and Barraza, who is a fugitive.
A date has not yet been set for arraignment for Eddie Chavira and Cervantes.
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Previous related story: Lancaster woman charged in 2002 kidnap, murder of 15-year-old girl
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Jumbosmo says
Tim Scott,
The Carp are biting up at the aqueduct. Why don’t you go catch yourself some dinner and stay off of this website. Nobody likes you anyways.
Tim Scott says
Given the number of people who only comment about me and not about anything else on the site I’d say I’m a very popular feature.
What is this nonsense about carp by the way? Some sort of inside joke among the cops? (Yes, I’m guessing that a lot of these thuggish “or else” style comments come from cops. Regular people don’t have such a sense of self importance or entitlement.)
thatonechick says
I like you Tim Scott
Tim Scott says
Apparently Jumbosmo was wrong then. No surprise there.
Thanks.
Jay says
I used to like him too, but he left me for that younger guy that ended up breaking his heart.
I believe in Karma.
And you know what I’m taking about Tim.
Tim Scott says
No, Jay, I haven’t got a clue. What are you talking about? If you believe in karma you probably shouldn’t spout off about someone you don’t know anything about, and you clearly don’t know anything much about me.
Joey B says
I’m not a cop and I think your hateful bashing of law enforcement is ridiculous. You bunch all of them together as all bad. I’m a regular person and I do have a sense of self importance. Your constant blubbering is getting old. Don’t you have a life other than this site??
Tim Scott says
Show me a good one. Show me one cop that will police other cops.
PD says
Because there is no other clown like you writing none sense comments against the law enforcement and in favor of criminals.
Only criminals look after each other’s!
Tim Scott says
People don’t write what I write because they are afraid of you PD, not because they like or respect you. The only thing that makes me somewhat unique is that you can’t bully me into silence.
Jim says
If there is a hell these guys will get a VIP welcome. Until then I hope they all receive the maximum possible prison sentences . No doubt the men deserve the death penalty but here in California it is a waste of time and money to charge them as such as it never happens anyway. Maybe we can ship them to Texas.
Cali Palmdale says
that is Fu++++ Bull_ -t cant get death because she was 15 at time she killed someone I bet she knew what she was doing this laws are just always in favor of the criminals that’s why we have so many they get to live a free life easy no work free meals no worries about paying rent mortgage nothing stress free. its like saying well the victim was under age so its ok also. All of them should be put down to sleep why waste my hard earned tax money I contribute why can we tax paying citizens have a say these killers will never change .
Tim Scott says
Since you are clearly convinced that jail is the greatest thing since sliced bread, why don’t you just go commit a crime and put yourself out of everyone else’s misery? We would manage fine without your taxes I am quite sure.