Sun Valley man pleads guilty to possession of machine gun

A reported gang member arrested during last month’s investigation

into the fatal shooting of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka has

been sentenced to 16 months in state prison.

Ricardo Barba, also known as Ricardo Brava, pleaded guilty Monday

in Burbank Superior Court to one count of possession of a machine

gun.

Barba, 18, of Sun Valley, was one of five dozen people arrested

while authorities searched for David A. Garcia, the man accused of

killing Pavelka during a Nov. 15 shootout.

Parts to convert an assault weapon into an automatic weapon were

found at the Sun Valley home of Barba, whose street name is “Lil

Trouble,” according to Deputy Dist. Atty. John Nantroup.

Others facing charges include Garcia’s twin brother, James, who is

accused of being an accessory after the fact, and possession of

assault weapons and a silencer. His next court appearance is

scheduled for Jan. 13 in Burbank Superior Court.

Jackson Bell