SANTA CRUZ — A 26-year-old gang member pleaded guilty Thursday to the 2009 fatal shooting of a man in Watsonville.
Colby Isidro faces 18 years in prison for charges that include assault with a firearm, gang participation and personal infliction of great bodily injury, according to prosecutors.
In March 2009, police investigated the fatal shooting of Michael Escobar, who prosecutors said was also a gang member.
Witnesses at the scene of the shooting, who were mostly gang members, refused to provide any information about the shooting to police, prosecutors said.
After receiving a tip that Isidro was responsible for the shooting death, District Attorney Inspector Morgan Chappell arranged to have Isidro’s prison cell bugged with a recording device, while Isidro was incarcerated for another crime, according to prosecutors.
Isidro confessed to the shooting to his cellmate, prosecutors said.
Isidro is a well-known gang member to local law enforcement and has prior convictions for battery, assault and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to prosecutors.
“We are very pleased to have this person off the streets,” District Attorney Jeff Rosell said.
Isidro will be sentenced on July 16, according to the District Attorney’s office.