Woman Sentenced for Role in Murder, Child Endangering

A woman described by authorities as a gangster raising her children to be gangsters was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for child endangerment and being an accessory to murder.

Roseanne Fimbres, 26, of Valinda, pleaded guilty to two counts each of child endangerment and being an accessory after the fact to murder. She also pleaded guilty to one count each of being an accessory after the fact to carjacking and allowing a gang member to have access to a gun.

Fimbres made the plea deal shortly before jury selection in Pomona Superior Court. She was arrested in December on the weapons charges.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gail Ehrlich said Fimbres’ 6-year-old son approached a police officer and claimed to be part of a gang. Prosecutors also said Fimbres’ 4-year-old daughter was seen flashing a gang sign in a photograph.

Fimbres was accused of supplying a gun used to kill Robert Imperial, 21, of Buena Park, on July 17, 1996, and of helping to hide firearms used in the gang slayings of Richard Mendoza on Nov. 22, 1997, and Gilbert Rivas of West Covina on Sept. 30, 1998, according to the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors have convicted people for the 1996 and 1998 killings, but a suspect in the 1997 slaying is at large, according to prosecutors.

Last month, a judge ordered the 53-gun arsenal of Fimbres’ father declared a public nuisance and destroyed. Prosecutors convinced a judge using a law allowing such actions when it can be shown the weapons could fall into the hands of street gangs.