SAN FERNANDO (CNS) - A gang member was convicted today of first-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of a 25-year-old man in a Santa Clarita park.
Nicolas Colletta, 21, of Saugus, was also found guilty of one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm, and the jury found gang, gun and great bodily injury allegations to be true.
Colletta had three prior convictions in 2016 -- for carrying an unregistered loaded handgun, possession of a blackjack and carrying a concealed dagger -- and faces 50 years to life in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18.
Prosecutors said the defendant issued a gang challenge, asking where 25-year-old Ivan Solis was from, before gunning him down in Begonia Lane Park on July 11, 2017. Family members said Solis -- whose body was found lying next to his bicycle -- was the father of three children.
Co-defendant Jacqueline Arreola, 25, of Newhall, pleaded no contest on April 3 to one count of accessory after the fact and testified as a witness at Colletta's trial. She is set to be sentenced Dec. 10 to three years formal probation and time served.