10 Years Could Be Added To Man's Prison Sentence
WHEATON, IL (STMW) -- A gang member already serving a 45-year sentence for murder may have up to 10 years tacked onto his prison term for refusing to testify against another man charged in the same killing.
Robert Meza pleaded guilty Thursday to a criminal contempt charge filed last year after he refused several times to testify in DuPage County against Antonio Aguilar, a reputed gang associate also charged in the 2007 slaying of a Berkeley man.
Meza, 23, of Joliet, refused because of a gang rule that bars members from testifying against each other, DuPage County prosecutors contended.
Aguilar, 21, also of Joliet, was acquitted earlier this month of murder charges stemming from the shooting death of Lorenzo Salazar-Cortez, 22.
Salazar-Cortez, whom authorities said had no gang ties, was visiting an Addison apartment on Sept. 15, 2007 when he was shot to death in what prosecutors argued was a bungled gang attack.
Meza was convicted in 2008 of taking part in the killing and sentenced to 45 years.
As part of a plea deal on the contempt charge, Meza won't receive more than 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next month, prosecutor Steven Knight said.
He will serve that term after completing his murder sentence, Knight said, adding criminal contempt charges that result in prison terms are very rare.
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