A Gilroy gang member released under AB-109 arrested for selling meth | Crime

On January 11, 2012 at about 1300 hours members of the Anti-Crime Team were in the area of Montebello Dr. and Wren Ave. when they recognized a known gang member who was driving a stolen vehicle. They recognized James Bob Lucio from numerous previous professional contacts. He was the first person released from prison and returned back to Gilroy under the State of California’s re-alignment program. Also known as AB-109, this legislation shifts the custodial responsibilities back to the local jurisdictions for some incarcerated parties in an effort to reduce prison populations and to comply with U.S. Supreme court mandates.

Mr. Lucio saw Anti-Crime Team members and patrol officers approaching him and he chose to run from the stolen vehicle. He briefly fought with officers and was subdued. During a search incident to his arrest, numerous pre-packaged bags of methamphetamine were located along with other indicators of methamphetamine sales.

In recent weeks the Anti-Crime Team has dealt with other recently released felons per the realignment program. AB-109 required that Gilroy resident Angel Espinoza who is another known gang member has been arrested twice since his release from prison and has been charged with violent felonies, to include possession of a firearm. After serving just days in custody, he was released; only to subsequently become implicated in a carjacking and vehicle pursuit.  

The Gilroy Police Department is committed to ensuring the public’s safety by effectively monitoring persons on supervised release. However, the impact of the added amount of offenders in our community has yet to be fully realized as these are new programs.