Modesto home invasion got his fellow gang member shot. Now he’s recommended for parole
A then-20-year-old member of a street gang called the Crazy Mob Family who took part in a 1998 home invasion robbery in which a fellow gang member was shot has been found suitable for parole, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office reports.
On March 27, 1998, Sopheap Chhoeung, Sokhean Keo and other gang members armed themselves and went to a home on River Pine Court in west Modesto. They kicked in the door of the residence, which was occupied by three men, two women and two young boys, according to a Modesto Bee story from the time.
Carrying a shotgun, Keo went into the kitchen, where he was shot in the chest by one of the victims, a 57-year-old man. Other gang members returned fire from outside the house, the DA’s Office reported, but fortunately, no one else was hit.
Officers arrested Chhoeung when he brought Keo to a local hospital for treatment.
Outside the victims’ residence, officers found evidence showing that two shotguns and one 9 mm handgun had been fired at the home. Inside a suspect vehicle, officers found duct tape, five pairs of gloves and dark clothing items.
At the time of the robbery, Chhoeung was on felony probation for residential burglary. In June 1999, he was convicted of burglary, assault with a firearm, shooting at an occupied dwelling and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The jury also found that the crimes had been committed to further Chhoeung’s participation in a criminal street gang. His burglary probation was revoked and he was sentenced to a total term of 34 years in state prison for both cases.
During his parole hearing earlier this month, Chhoeung told the board he was only the getaway driver and not an official member of the gang, according to a news release from the DA’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Tyler argued for continued confinement based on Chhoeung’s lack of insight into the crime and the continuing safety risk he poses to the community if released.
The board recommended parole. The DA’s news release noted, “Recent changes in the law regarding parole hearings allow ‘youthful offenders’ — those who committed their crimes under age 26 — to be eligible for early release on parole. Chhoeung was 20 years old at the time he participated in the home invasion robbery.”
This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 12:02 PM.
