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Gang member sentenced to 31 years in prison in Pomona drive-by shooting

A gang member was sentenced this month to 31 years in state prison for killing a woman in a drive-by shooting in Pomona, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

A jury on March 11 found Ruben Vargas, a 38-year-old Latino, guilty of killing Lina Romero, 31. Vargas also pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, attempted murder, and two counts of assault, according to prosecutors. The defendant also admitted gun and gang allegations.

On Jan. 4, 2011, Romero was inside a home in the 600 block of Illinois Street in Pomona when she was struck in the back by gunfire, according to prosecutors. Another woman was also inside the home but was not injured. Romero was taken to a hospital, where she died a month later.  

Vargas fled to Mexico shortly after the killing, but officials brought him back to the U.S. on Dec. 17, 2013.

Another gang member, Andrew Alvarez, 25, was arrested nine days after the killing. He pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 25 years and four months in state prison. 

-- Jerome Campbell

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