Gang Member Apprehended by Elk Grove Police Convicted on Gun Charges, Gang Enhancements

March 13, 2018 |

A Sacramento County Superior Court jury trial found a man arrested by Elk Grove Police guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a gang affiliation enhancement. The verdict was issued on Thursday, March 8. 

The defendant, Joseph Herrera, 24, a high-ranking Varrio Diamond gang member was in vehicle stopped by Elk Grove Police on July 29, 2017. During the traffic stop, officers discovered a loaded handgun with a high capacity magazine at Herrera’s feet. 

Herrera had recently been paroled and was subject to GPS monitoring, which showed he had traveled through several gang territories prior to the stop. Detectives also learned Herrera joined the Northern Structure Prison gang while in prison, and had become the top ranking Norteno for one of the Sacramento jail facilities while pending trial in this case. 

Prior to this conviction, Herrera had a 2010 strike conviction for assault with a firearm, and has a pending possession for sale of a controlled substance case (#17FE008238). When he is sentenced on April 27, Herrera faces a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.