The Region : Deputy D.A. Placed Under Protection

A deputy district attorney who was allegedly threatened by two Latino gang members for prosecuting a fellow gang member remains under 24-hour protection after a Pomona Superior Court jury found the third gang member guilty of kidnap and rape. The prosecutor, Linda Bloxsom, 32, was unavailable for comment following the conviction of Arturo Barela, 38, of El Monte, on 17 criminal counts stemming from a gang-related assault on a 16-year-old girl. Still being held without bail are Barela’s brother, Richard, 27, of La Puente, and Joaquin Serna-Vera, 24, of El Monte, who were arrested last week after they allegedly pointed a gun at Bloxsom and threatened her in front of her Diamond Bar home. The two men, described by authorities as members of the White Fence gang, are to be arraigned Friday in Los Angeles Municipal Court.