Gang Member Sentenced for Murder in Santa Clarita Park

A 21-year-old man was sentenced today to 60 years to life in state prison for the gang murder of a man at Begonias Lane Park in Santa Clarita two years ago, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

A jury found Nicholas Colletta of Saugus guilty last year of one count each of first-degree murder with the allegation that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm by a felon with three priors, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm. Jurors also found true that the defendant personally and intentionally discharged a handgun and caused great bodily injury. Co-defendant Jacqueline Arreola, 26, of Newhall pleaded no contest on April 3 to one count of accessory after the fact. She testified as a witness in Colletta’s trial.

Deputy District Attorneys Adan Montalban and Brenda Lee of the Hardcore Gang Division prosecuted case PA089346. On July 11, 2017, Ivan Solis, 25, was shot to death at the park by Colletta after the defendant issued a gang challenge, prosecutors said. Following the shooting, both defendants fled the scene in a vehicle, prosecutors added. Sentencing for Arreola is scheduled on May 20 in Department F of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Branch. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Station.