South Sac gang-banger get 83 to life for murder, drive-by shootings

Shooting in South Sacramento by Norteno gang member

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that the Honorable Cheryl Meegan sentenced Juan Carranco to 83 years to life in prison for the murder of Carlos Cervantes and two separate drive-by shootings.  On October 31, 2009, Cervantes was attending a party at the home of a cousin on Clover Manor Way in South Sacramento. One of his friends became involved in a fight with Norteno gang members. Cervantes tried to break up the fight before Carranco walked up to Cervantes and shot him in the head, killing him. In a separate trial, Carranco was convicted for the attempted murder of Jesse Mena stemming from two drive-by shootings.  On December 10, 2009, Carranco and several gang associates fired multiple shots at Mena's car.  They then drove to the home of a rival gang member and fired several shots into the house.  Nobody was injured in either incident.