'REFORMED' GANGSTER PLEADS OUT CORONA WAS MODEL OF GANG DIVERSION, LIVED DOUBLE LIFE.Byline: BRENT HOPKINS Staff Writer After a startling star·tle v. star·tled, star·tling, star·tles v.tr. 1. To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start. 2. To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly. See Synonyms at frighten. turnaround from gang member to gang interventionist, Mario Corona's life took a darker twist Friday when he pleaded no contest to narcotics and firearm charges. The one-time gang leader from Pacoima had gone back to school and worked his way through Pierce College and California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an , then earned a master's degree from the University of Southern California The U.S. News & World Report ranked USC 27th among all universities in the United States in its 2008 ranking of "America's Best Colleges", also designating it as one of the "most selective universities" for admitting 8,634 of the almost 34,000 who applied for freshman admission . Lauded by the community for his work diverting kids from gangs, he appeared to be the picture of success -- until he was arrested Feb. 28 with nearly a pound of methamphetamine in his car. On Friday, he pleaded no contest to transportation of a controlled substance controlled substance n. a drug which has been declared by federal or state law to be illegal for sale or use, but may be dispensed under a physician's prescription. and being a felon An individual who commits a crime of a serious nature, such as Burglary or murder. A person who commits a felony. felon n. a person who has been convicted of a felony, which is a crime punishable by death or a term in state or federal prison. in possession of a firearm, a 9 mm handgun found in his house. "Unfortunately, the image Mario Corona was portraying of assisting troubled youth and gang members was not accurate," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jack Garden said in a statement. "This plea today demonstrates he continued his criminal activity, including dealing in a significant amount of methamphetamine and possessing a gun." Under terms of the plea, Corona, 30, of Panorama City will serve 32 months in prison when sentenced May 25. He's also facing deportation to Mexico upon his release. Prosecutors characterized him as an illegal immigrant illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa. (See: alien) , which his family and attorney disputed. Prior to his arrest, Corona had been a popular and respected presence at Communities in Schools, a North Hills-based job services and gang intervention agency. Where they once hailed him for his work ethic, co-workers decried him for what they described as greed and selfishness. "He chose to lead a double life at the expense of our credibility," CIS Cis (sĭs), same as Kish (1.) (1) (CompuServe Information Service) See CompuServe. (2) (Card Information S President Bobby Arias said. "I told him that this is a selfish act. We hope he can bounce back, but he's not going to do it with our organization." Corona had hoped to attend law school or earn a doctorate in sociology or criminal justice. He said he planned to write books and work with gang members looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. ways to reform their lives. "Before this moment, Mario had done a lot of good work helping people," said his attorney, Aron Laub. "In the future, Mario will again be doing a lot of good work helping people. I guarantee that today's events will not be the defining moment in his life." brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3738 |
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