From the LA County District Attorney:
Prosecutors have filed a criminal case against an alleged gang member accused of waging an unprovoked attack on a homeless man in Venice, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The video is disturbing. We do not recommend watching it.
Apolinar Celestino Lopez, 30 (dob 1/8/83), is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 28 in Department 144 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Airport Branch.
Lopez faces one count of assault with a deadly weapon in case SA086021. The complaint includes allegations that the defendant personally used deadly and dangerous weapons, a folding chair and a pipe, and that the alleged offense was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
The charging document also includes two prior felony convictions stemming from Los Angeles County for possession for sale of cocaine base in 2007 and 2004.
Deputy District Attorney Amy-Hannah Broersma of the Airport Branch Office said the alleged assault was captured on video. The video has been widely distributed, she added.
Deputy District Attorney David Schorr has been assigned to the case. If convicted as charged, Lopez faces an 11-year sentence in state prison. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department, Pacific Division.
To read previous information about this case, click here.
