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Stock photo of two bullet rounds on the floor next to a crime scene marker.

Three Gang Members Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Multiple Murders

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that the three gang members involved in multiple shootings and killings have been sentenced to life without parole for the murders of three rival gang members.

Defendants Ethan Apan, 33, Kristian Apan, 32, and Ismael Betancourt, 25, were convicted last May after an 11-week jury trial in which jurors found them guilty of multiple counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury and several other felony counts.

The sentencing breakdown is:

  • Ethan Apan was sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 132 years-to-life in state prison
  • Kristian Apan was sentenced to one term of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 107 years-to-life in state prison
  • Betancourt was sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 139 years-to-life in state prison

“Today sentencing brings to a close the gang warfare the plagued a small South Bay city with murders, shootings and retaliation,” DA Stephan said. “I am grateful to our prosecution team, Robert Eacret and Abrey Zora,” who expertly navigated the complicated underworld of gang activity to bring justice for these senseless killings.”

During their National City shooting rampage in 2019 and 2020, the trio killed Joaquin Ruiz, Marco Magana, and Juan Galvan, and severely injured Julio Martull, James Mullens, and Adan Duke. The initial killing of Ruiz was in retaliation for a rival killing a week prior. But the hunt down set off a wave of violence that included the three defendants routinely driving into rival gang territory to commit shootings, often mistakenly shooting innocent bystanders.

After a joint investigation between four San Diego Police Department Homicide Teams, the National City Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office’s Gangs Unit, Ethan Apan, Kristian Apan, Ismael Betancourt, and six fellow gang members were arrested for their involvement and prosecuted for this string of shootings.

Prior to the trial, several co-defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their involvement in the shootings.

  • Jorge Sanchez, 23 was sentenced to 105 years-to-life in state prison
  • John Anthony Orozco, 32, was sentenced to 38 years in state prison
  • Raymond Sandoval, 36, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison
  • Daisy Diaz, 28, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison

The District Attorney’s Gangs Division prosecutes complex murder cases and other serious crimes perpetrated by violent gang members who terrorize neighborhoods. These cases are handled by one prosecutor from beginning to end – also called vertical prosecution.

Deputy District Attorneys Robert Eacret and Abrey Zora prosecuted this case.

 

Rachel Solov, Assistant District Attorney

DA Stephan Appoints Rachel Solov as New Assistant District Attorney

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that she has appointed Rachel Solov to the position of Assistant District Attorney following the retirement of Dwain Woodley this month. She is the first woman to hold the number two post in the District Attorney’s Office.

During her time in the District Attorney’s Office, Solov has served in management roles as a team leader in North County, division chief of the Collaborative Justice Division, chief of Mental Health and Criminal Justice Reform Strategies, and as Chief Deputy District Attorney. As a Chief Deputy, Solov has supervised many divisions including Special Operations, Superior Court, Gangs, Juvenile, Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection, Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice, Case Issuing, and Collaborative Justice.

In addition, she has worked closely with County Behavioral Health and other parts of the County to promote innovations that have advanced public safety.

“Rachel Solov brings exceptional leadership and prosecutorial experience, sound judgment and unique expertise to this critical public safety position as second in command in our office,” DA Stephan said. “Rachel’s statewide expertise in threat assessment and criminal justice innovations that address the intersection of mental health, addiction, homelessness and public safety are needed now more than ever. I look forward to working alongside Assistant DA Solov to fulfill our mission of pursuing a fair and equal justice for all, protection of victims of crime, prosecution of those who harm our neighborhoods and smart crime prevention.”

Solov, a career prosecutor, began in the DA’s Office as an intern with the Victim Witness program in 1994. She started her prosecutorial role in 1999 and has worked across numerous divisions in the DA’s Office including Superior Court, Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking, the North County branch, East County branch, Case Issuing, and the Collaborative Justice Division. Throughout her career Solov has prosecuted misdemeanors and felonies, sexual assault, sexually violent predators, stalking, threat, and homicide cases. She is a certified threat manager and has been recognized nationally for her significant contributions to the field of threat assessment and management.

“I am deeply honored to be selected by District Attorney Summer Stephan to serve as Assistant District Attorney,” Solov said. “Having spent my career as a prosecutor, I am committed to using my experience to advance public safety, support victims of crime, and ensure justice is pursued fairly and thoughtfully. It is a privilege to serve the residents of San Diego County and to work alongside the dedicated prosecutors and staff who carry out this important mission every day.”

Solov, 54, grew up in Los Angeles but has been part of the San Diego Community since attending and graduating Cum Laude from San Diego State University. She attended the University of San Diego Law School, graduating in 1998. While there, she served as executive editor of the San Diego Law Review.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Dwain Woodley spent 24 years in the District Attorney’s Office and had been Assistant DA since 2021.

“It is with deep gratitude that I bid Assistant DA Dwain Woodley a wonderful retirement,” DA Stephan said. “I’m so proud of all of ADA Woodley’s accomplishments that helped keep San Diego County one of the safest regions in the country through ethical prosecution and public service.”

Photo of a gavel with a knife and handcuffs.

Man who Ambushed and Killed His Sister’s Former Boyfriend Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 51 years-to-life in prison for killing the ex-boyfriend of his sister in July 2020 before fleeing to Mexico for nearly two years.

Raymond Lynde, who was convicted by a jury in May of second-degree murder, had just been released from 12-year prison sentence for a string of armed robberies in Orange County when he ambushed Ariel Burquez, 23, outside of an apartment complex in Chula Vista. Lynde stabbed Burquez 28 times, leaving him for dead. Burquez collapsed at his front door, before he died.

“This was a savage murder that was motivated by animosity and revenge,” DA Stephan said. “I hope today’s sentence closes a chapter and brings a measure of justice for the family of Mr. Burquez. We’re grateful to our law enforcement colleagues in Mexico for their help in bringing the defendant back to San Diego to be held accountable for his vicious crime.”

Lynde had been a fugitive for nearly two years before he was located in Mexico by Mexican authorities. Members of a U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force took him into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in May 2022. During the trial, Lynde’s sister said her relationship with Burquez lasted about six months from 2018 to 2019. When the relationship ended, Burquez allegedly vandalized property belonging to Lynde’s sister and allegedly shot at her weeks prior to the murder. Lynde admitted that he stabbed Burquez but claimed he only did so in self-defense. After the violent stabbing, Lynde disposed of the knife, hid the bloody clothes, and fled to Mexico.

Over the last five years, the District Attorney’s Office has successfully extradited 11fugitives from Mexico to face criminal prosecution in San Diego County.

Deputy District Attorney Cassandra Alfaro from the DA’s South Bay Branch prosecuted this case.