Men Admit Giving Aid to Suspect in Killing

Two Sun Valley men accused of helping to hide another man suspected of killing rookie Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka have pleaded guilty to charges that could carry a penalty of 16 months in prison, authorities said Wednesday.

James B. Garcia, 20, the twin brother of alleged gunman David A. Garcia, and Erwin De Leon, 21, entered pleas in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Burbank to one count each of being an accessory to murder after the fact. De Leon also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an assault weapon. Both are scheduled to be sentenced April 15.

“This sends a powerful message to those who would help hide suspected murderers of police officers, or any murderers for that matter,” said Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. John Nantroup of the Crimes Against Peace Officers Section.

Burbank police officers arrested De Leon and James Garcia Nov. 16, the day after Pavelka, 26, was shot to death while responding to a fellow officer’s call for backup.

According to police, Officer Gregory Campbell, 41, a veteran of the Burbank force, was on patrol near Bob Hope Airport on Nov. 15 when he spotted two men sitting in a sport utility vehicle without license plates in a Ramada Inn parking lot. Campbell radioed for assistance, and Pavelka arrived a few moments later.

The two men, identified as Ramon Aranda, 25, and David A. Garcia, jumped out of the vehicle and started shooting, striking both officers several times, police said. The officers returned fire and killed Aranda, but Garcia fled. His brother and De Leon later helped him elude capture, officials said.

David Garcia was arrested nearly two weeks later in Mexico and was returned to Los Angeles. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Campbell was seriously wounded during the shootout.