Abusive father in a gang, police say

Found guilty last week of 14 counts of abusing his children, Mojica Carmona is a member of a Chicago-area gang, witnesses say.
By Andrea Lorenz

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF


Tuesday, May 06, 2008



Cesar Mojica Carmona

SAN MARCOS — Prosecutors on Monday described Cesar Mojica Carmona, found guilty last week of abusing his children, as a gang member who still has violent tendencies.

Hays County jurors convicted Mojica Carmona on more than a dozen first-degree felonies for hitting, biting and starving his 4-year-old daughter and 3-year-old twins. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 99 years in prison.

His wife, Sara Amaya, 23, was also charged with several counts of injury to a child, and her trial is pending.

During the punishment phase of the trial Monday, Hays County Jail staff testified that two makeshift knives had been found in the lights in Mojica Carmona's cell, along with contraband tattoo ink and home-brewed alcohol.

Prosecutors said sketches Mojica Carmona, 24, drew on the wall of his cell — of a joker and a naked woman with gang-affiliated symbols on her body — show that Mojica Carmona still identifies with a Chicago-area gang.

Police told jurors that Mojica Carmona is considered a member of the Latin Counts in Addison, Ill., where he lived before moving to the Dripping Springs area. An officer from Addison told jurors Monday that a joker is a common symbol for the Latin Counts. He said Mojica Carmona had several run-ins with law enforcement for gang-related activities.

Mojica Carmona's attorney questioned how the Addison police came to that conclusion.

"You're basically saying that because Mr. Mojica ... is seen with others in the gang and he has a Chicago Cubs T-shirt, he is a member of a gang," Will Holgate said.

alorenz@statesman.com; (512) 392-8750

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