Ex-con sentenced to life in prison for 2018 murder of Pomona police officer

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

A former inmate was sentenced Monday to life in prison for killing a Pomona Police Department officer and injuring his partner in 2018 after a chase.

He arrived on March 9, 2018when Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 45, led officers on a brief chase after they were dispatched to report a driver suspected of drunk driving.

When they tried to arrest him, Valenica led them on a chase that ended when he crashed into a parked car and ran into his apartment in the 1400 block of South Palomares Street .

As the officer attempted to open his door, Valencia fired six shots, hitting Officer Greggory Casillas in the head and his partner, Officer Alex Nguyen, in the cheek. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital where Casillas later died.

Valencia was ultimately arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies following a 15-hour standoff.

Related: Hundreds honor fallen Pomona officer Greggory Casillas at funeral

He was convicted of first-degree murder in April after jurors deliberated for less than a day. The committee also uncovered genuine allegations of murder, under special circumstances, of a peace officer in the line of duty and murder with the intent to avoid or prevent lawful arrest. Additionally, they also uncovered true allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun.

In addition to life without parole, Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho on Monday gave Valencia a separate sentence of 278 years to life in prison.

He refused to appear in court for sentencing and appeared via camera from his prison cell.

“Legislators, courts and review boards reconsider before showing leniency to a callous killer who cannot live up to his own actions,” Officer Nguyen said during the hearing from Monday. “My scars are deeper than my face, not a day goes by that I don’t see, feel or think of my partner.”

Nguyen says he was traumatized by the shooting and now suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression.

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Dean Fioresi

Dean Fioresi is a web producer for CBS Los Angeles. He covers breaking news throughout Southern California. When he's not writing about local events, he likes to focus on sports and entertainment.