Traver gang member sentenced to life in prison
Guadalupe Rivera, of Traver, was sentenced Monday to 34 years to life in prison for robbery and other crimes by Tulare County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Montejano.
Guadalupe Rivera, of Traver, was sentenced Monday to 34 years to life in prison for robbery and other crimes by Tulare County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Montejano.
On March 15, Rivera, 36, was found guilty by a Tulare County jury of robbery, false imprisonment, witness intimidation by force or fear with a gang enhancement, criminal threats, crimi- nal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of ammunition. Each count is a felony.
Rivera has a prior strike for robbery in 2001, two grand theft convictions, and multiple prior prison commitments.
In the evening hours of Nov. 7, 2014, the adult male victim was driving his truck past Rivera’s residence in Traver. The victim did not know Rivera. Rivera stopped the victim in the middle of the road by pointing a handgun at him, forcing the victim to exit the vehicle. At the residence, Rivera held the victim at gunpoint for approximately two hours, robbed him of personal belongings and forced him to disrobe.
During that time, a co-defendant, Sabino Lozano, 27, commanded the victim to place the barrel of a handgun held by Rivera in his mouth and stated he planned to kill him.
Rivera also threatened to kill the victim’s family if he informed anyone.
This offense was determined to have been committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang. The victim was able to escape when Rivera went in to the residence. In a subsequent search of Rivera’s residence, Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a .38 revolver and multiple rounds of ammunition.
Lozano was sentenced to 3 years in state prison after being found guilty of false imprisonment and making criminal threats on March 15. Lozano was present with Rivera during the crimes.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sean Sangree and investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.