People v. Luker CA4/3

FACTS

Background In 2012, Luker, also known as Caveman, was a shot caller in the La Mirada Punks (LMP), a White racist criminal street gang. Breanna (also known as Bree) Chacon, Luker’s then-girlfriend, was an LMP associate. Chacon had cooperated with law enforcement during an investigation into Luker’s narcotics and gang activities. The investigation led to Luker’s conviction and incarceration for possession of narcotics with a gang enhancement. Around October 2, 2013, Daniel Garretto, an LMP gang member, contacted La Mirada Police Detective Nick Wilson. Wilson had been a witness in Luker’s narcotics prosecution. Wilson knew Luker, Chacon, and Garretto from previous criminal investigations. Garretto had been Luker’s cellmate for a few months earlier in the year, and he told Wilson he had some information. Wilson and other law enforcement officers

2 interviewed Garretto at least twice between October 2 and 20, and once in January 2014, in the La Miranda Police Department interview room. Garretto told police Luker had asked him to do a couple of favors when he got out of jail. Luker gave Garretto a letter to Chacon, a piece of paper with names, phone numbers, dollar amounts, and…