Man gets 90 years for murder in meth deal (California)

Man gets 90 years for murder in meth deal
-- Mike Cruz

SAN BERNARDINO - A street gangster will spend decades in state prison for the brutal robbery and shooting death of a Rialto man that a Superior Court judge described as "target practice."
Jonathan Kent Main walked outside of a San Bernardino apartment about 4 a.m. in September 2002 to sell drugs to Johnnie Benjamin Chagolla and Daniel Encino Martinez, according to authorities.

Instead, Chagolla pulled out a 9 mm handgun and robbed Main of methamphetamine, money and whatever else he had. But the loot wasn't enough - Chagolla also took Main's life.

"I was frankly appalled, shocked, at conduct so vicious, so cowardly," said Judge Michael Welch before reading Chagolla's sentence Tuesday in San Bernardino Superior Court.

A jury in February 2005 convicted Chagolla of robbery and first-degree murder, with special enhancements for the use of a firearm and street gang activity. On Tuesday, Chagolla learned the outcome of that verdict: 90 years to life in state prison.

Chagolla will be back in court for a restitution hearing on June 27.

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3857920