Merced County teen charged as adult in gang homicide, prosecutors say
A Los Banos teenager is scheduled to be arraigned in Merced Superior Court on Wednesday, in connection with the shooting death earlier this month of a rival teenage gang member.
The Merced County District Attorney’s Office charged 16-year-old Fabian Cruz Roman as an adult in the case. He faces felony charges of murder, attempted murder and criminal street gang participation in the death of Raymond Sevilla, 17, of South Dos Palos, who was gunned down Dec. 7 in Dos Amigos Park in the 2200 block of San Luis Street in Los Banos.
Harold Nutt, chief deputy district attorney, said Roman was charged as an adult due to the serious nature of the alleged offenses.
“He murdered someone and he used a firearm to do it,” Nutt said. The alleged street-gang motive in the shooting was also a factor in the prosecutor’s decision, he added.
Travis Colby, the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, confirmed Roman faces a possible life prison sentence with the possibility of parole, if convicted.
Roman is scheduled to be arraigned before retired Judge Frank Dougherty in Merced Superior Court in Los Banos, according to the court clerk’s office. His attorney, Dominic Falasco, was not available for comment Tuesday.
Roman is also charged with the attempted murder of Jonathan Garay, who was also shot, according to the criminal complaint. Garay’s age was not included in the complaint.
Los Banos police have not commented on the shooting of Garay, but prosecutors confirmed he survived his gunshot wounds.
Police said Sevilla, whom they described as a known gang member, was in the park on San Luis Street with at least two other people when they were approached by a group of males from a rival street gang. Police said Roman opened fire, striking Sevilla in the upper body.
Sevilla ran toward the intersection of Luis Street and Ward Road, where he collapsed and died a short time later.
Roman was arrested Dec. 17, 10 days after the incident. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of making additional arrests.
Sevilla’s death marked the first homicide in Los Banos since March 2013.
To leave an anonymous crime tip, call (209) 827-7070, Ext. 288. You can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link. Or, contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers at (855) 725-2420 or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
Sun-Star staff writer Rob Parsons can be reached at (209) 385-2482 or rparsons@mercedsunstar.com.
This story was originally published December 30, 2014 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Merced County teen charged as adult in gang homicide, prosecutors say."