2 Gang Members in King City Convicted of Attempted Murder for the Benefit of the Sureno Criminal Street Gang

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, Macrh 25 that 23-year-old Heber Veronica and 22-year-old Francisco Martinez both of King City each pled guilty to attempted murder while personally discharging firearms for the benefit of the Sureno Criminal Street Gang. On January 13, 2018 in the City of King, Veronica and Martinez were traveling on San Antonio Drive when they observed an SUV they thought was occupied by Norteno Criminal Street Gang members. Veronica and Martinez displayed gang signs and followed the SUV from San Antonio Drive onto Highway 101 northbound. The victims realized they could not out-run Veronica and Martinez and decided to turn around and head back to town. Veronica, the driver, and Martinez, the front passenger, began shooting at the victim SUV striking it once. As the victim SUV began traveling southbound Veronica and Martinez continued to give chase. During the shooting the victims were actively reporting to 911. Monterey County Park Ranger Smith heard the 911 call and observed the suspected vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Veronica and Martinez exited Highway 101 at the Wild Horse offramp. Ranger Smith saw 2 handguns thrown from the passenger side of the suspected vehicle. Law enforcement later recovered 2 loaded handguns. The Honorable Mark E. Hood accepted the guilty pleas and will preside over the sentencings on April 29, 2021. Heber Veronica will receive 20 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations and Francisco Martinez will receive 12 years. The convictions are considered strikes under California 3 Strikes Laws. The case was investigated by Monterey Sheriff’s Department Deputy Villanueva, Detective Jesse Pinion, Sergeant Bryan Hoskins and District Attorney Investigator John Magana. Allied agencies include the Monterey County Parks Department, the King City Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

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