Verdict Supports Woman Who Defied Gangs : Courts: A Lynwood man faces up to six years for intimidating a North Hollywood single mother who cooperated with police.

A man was convicted Friday of making terrorist threats against a single mother of seven who had stood up to gang members in her tough North Hollywood neighborhood.

Maximilliano Guerrero, 20, of Lynwood, faces up to six years in state prison for making a terrorist threat--pointing his finger at Viviana Guerra and saying, “Bang, bang, you’re dead, bitch.”

“They should think before they talk, before they open their mouths,” Guerra said in a telephone interview, during which a loud sound was heard that she said was a gunshot outside her residence. “They should think about what can happen, what are the possibilities.”

Jurors had no doubts about Guerrero’s guilt, or Guerra’s courage.

“We believe she was living under intolerable conditions and we commend her courage,” said Joseph Rubinfeld, foreman of the Van Nuys Superior Court jury that convicted Guerrero after one day of deliberations.

“We thought she was a very credible witness and a very courageous person--that was the unanimous opinion of the jury,” Rubinfeld said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Franco A. Baratta, who prosecuted Guerrero, said he was pleased with the verdict, even though the panel was unable to reach a verdict on a second charge. The jury split 9 to 3 in favor of guilt on the charge of actively participating in a criminal street gang.

“I think they vindicated (Guerra),” Baratta said. “I think they told the community that if law-abiding citizens start battling back, they’ll stand behind them, they’ll enforce the law.”

While still expressing fear about the hoodlums who sometimes control her street less than one block from the local police station, Guerra said the verdict should send a message to gang members.

Guerra, an 11-year resident of North Hollywood, has been cooperating with police to make a safer environment for her children since she became manager of an apartment building about one year ago. Her testimony in criminal trials has resulted in several convictions.

During the trial, Los Angeles Police Department detectives carried a book that documented more than 50 attacks against Guerra and her building. Photos in the blue three-ring binder show smashed windows and graffiti attacking Guerra’s leadership role on her street.

“It’s really hard, they’re really taking over,” she said. “I’m just trying to make a better home for my kids.”

Guerra said she and her children are still subjected to harassment by gang members and drug users, and her oldest son previously has been shot at twice.

“I get wary and I worry a lot,” Guerra said. “But I wonder about the use of moving because you don’t know who’s following you. So I just keep a low profile.”

Citing concerns for her safety because she is familiar with only about 10% of the estimated 250 members of the gang that plagues her street, Guerra declined to be photographed.

Guerra expressed hopes that constant police patrols and a visit by a special unit called CRASH--Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums--would help keep the neighborhood peaceful Friday night.

While they say Guerrero’s conviction is a positive step, authorities recognize that a shortage of police officers and the violent nature of gangs mean her safety cannot be guaranteed. The key to reclaiming the streets from criminals, according to Baratta, is residents taking action together.

“She’s doing everything she can to make her little corner of the world safe,” the prosecutor said. “When she’s finally threatened with violence because she does that, we’re not going to stand by and let her stomach that alone. We’re going to get behind and do what we have to do and do what we did today.”