June 5, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced to Prison in Death of Coast Guard Officer

Coast Guard
Members of the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard conduct a three-round volley at the memorial service for Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne at Reservation Point, San Pedro, Calif., Dec. 8, 2012. Horne, the executive petty officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, was killed while conducting maritime law enforcement operations near Santa Cruz Island Dec. 2, 2012. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson)

Two Mexican nationals were sentenced on May 12 to federal prison for their roles in the 2012 death of a Marina del Rey-based U.S. Coast Guard chief petty officer, who was thrown into the ocean when the cutter he was aboard was rammed by a smuggling boat near the Channel Islands.

U.S. District Judge Gary A. Feess sentenced Jose Meija-Leyva, the panga’s captain, to life in federal prison, and helper Manuel Beltran-Higuera got a 10-year term.

Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, a 34-year-old Redondo Beach resident, was the first Coast Guard officer to be murdered while on duty since 1927.

“The person killed was kind, generous and loving,” Rachel Horne, the officer’s widow, told the courtroom, which was packed with dozens of uniformed Coast Guard personnel.

The 14-year Coast Guard veteran left behind two toddler sons and a pregnant wife who gave birth to a third boy 10 weeks after her husband’s death.

“Words cannot express our sorrow and emptiness,” the woman said as a photo of her husband and two of their sons were shown to the tearful audience.

Horne was struck in the head on Dec. 2, 2012, by a boat propeller when he was thrown into the water. Another USCG member suffered a non-life-threatening knee laceration.

He and the other injured Coast Guard member were assigned to the USCG Cutter Halibut, based in Marina del Rey.

The Halibut was rammed by Meija-Leyva’s panga traveling at a high rate of speed. Feess said Meija-Leyva smashed into the cutter in hopes of disabling it so the panga could flee.

Customs and Border Patrol and Coast Guard ships were able to chase the panga after the ramming and arrested the two Ensenada-based suspects.

The USCG Cutter Halibut had been tracking a smuggling boat off Santa Cruz Island, one of a cluster of three Channel Islands sitting off the Ventura County coast, about 30 miles west of Malibu.

A Coast Guard patrol plane had spotted the panga and another boat as it headed toward the Channel Islands without lights about 1 a.m. The Halibut was sent to Santa Cruz Island, and had arrested two people from one boat.

The Halibut crew lowered a small, inflatable chase boat into the water, and the small federal craft activated its blue lights and siren. At that point, Meija-Leyva changed direction and drove into the small boat.

According to federal prosecutors, a Coast Guard officer on the cutter fired several shots at the panga boat while another USCG member tried to steer the federal vessel out of the smugglers’ path.

Horne and the other Coast Guard member were thrown into the water and were immediately picked up by another federal boat. Horne was taken roughly 15 to 20 miles to the nearest dock, at Port Hueneme, where he was pronounced dead.

The murder of a federal officer is “one of the most serious offenses that can come before this court,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Max B. Shiner said, adding that Meija-Leyva continued to resist arrest “even when he had a gun pointed at his face.”

Meija-Leyva, 42, was convicted at trial in February of second-degree murder, two counts of failure to heave to — an order to stop a vessel so a federal law enforcement officer may board — and four counts of assaulting federal officers with a deadly and dangerous weapon.

Manuel Beltran-Higuera, 45, also was convicted in the two counts of failure to heave to — as an accessory after the fact in one count and as an aider and abettor in the second count — and in the four counts of assault, as an accessory after the fact.

Beltran-Higuera told the court through his attorney that he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

His co-defendant, though, said he was not responsible for Horne’s death. Meija-Leyva said a vessel that didn’t belong to him hit and killed the officer.

Feess, however, rejected what he called the “mystery boat” defense, telling the defendant that there was “no doubt whose boat killed this man.”

Related Posts

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Driver Arrested for Suspected DUI After Rollover Crash in West Los Angeles

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

One Person Hospitalized, Light Pole Smashed After Late-Night Collision One driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and another person...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Actress Cameron Diaz Slashes Price on Beverly Crest Estate to $16.5 Million

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Modern Farmhouse in Beverly Crest Returns to Market with Lower Price Tag Cameron Diaz has reduced the asking price of...