SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary : The Local Review / DEVELOPMENTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Gang Member Gets 3 Months in Jail in Beating

A gang member who pleaded no contest to beating a man who was sitting on a porch with his two young children has been sentenced to three months in jail.

Arturo Palacios, 20, also was sentenced to three years probation Monday by Municipal Judge Ramona G. See after he pleaded guilty to one count of battery and brandishing a firearm, said Mike Qualls, a spokesman for the city attorney.

In addition, See banned Palacios from possessing any dangerous weapons or associating with gang members, Qualls said.

On the afternoon of July 15, Palacios walked up to a 24-year-old man, raised his shirt to show he had a gun in his waistband and shouted “Where are you from?” said Deputy City Atty. Jim McDougal.

When the man denied any gang affiliation, Palacios began beating him with his fists in front of his children, ages 4 and 2, McDougal said.

The victim’s mother ran across the street to help her son, McDougal said. But Palacios also showed her the pistol and told her: “I just got out of jail and I’m not afraid of going back.”