Defendant had video of fourth shooting where bullets hit child’s window
TUCSON - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a Tucson gang member, Marc Anthony Hatter, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in three drive-by shootings intended to increase the stature of a Tucson-area street gang. Fellow gang members, Isaiah Nikko Meza, Israel Xavier Meza, who are brothers, and Erubiel Alexis Bojorquez have also pleaded guilty to multiple charges for their role in these drive-by shootings.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Tucson Police Department Gang Unit, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department began a joint investigation after identifying a potential gang connection between four drive-by shootings that occurred in December 2018. They eventually determined the shootings appeared intended to promote a criminal street gang known as the Get Money Gang.
The first two shootings occurred on December 15, 2018. After an argument with two victims on Facebook, Hatter, along with the Meza brothers, committed two drive-by shootings where they believed the victims lived. The first location, on West Virginia Street in Tucson, was apparently unoccupied at the time of the shooting. The second location, about one mile away on West Dakota Street, was occupied by a family. No one was injured, but multiple bullets hit the home, placing the family members in fear for their lives, with one bullet going through a living room window.
Later that month, on December 28, 2018, the Meza brothers shot a sixteen-year-old in the hand during a drive-by shooting precipitated by a gang dispute. In Facebook chats, Hatter asked about the shooting, writing to Israel Meza, “u shot him in the hand.” Israel responded, “He said I shot him in the chest LMFAO.” Finally, on December 29, 2018, a victim reported that shots were fired outside her Tucson-area home. Officers responded and found bullet damage to the house, including three bullet strikes in a child’s bedroom. Hatter had this video of the shooting in his Facebook account. It appears the victim's home was randomly targeted.
Assistant Attorney General Josh Moser is prosecuting this case. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tucson Police Department Gang Unit, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Video of fourth shooting can be downloaded.
Previous news release.
The names of the defendants and the charges they pleaded to are listed below.
1. Marc Anthony Hatter pleaded guilty to six counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument, and one count each of Disorderly Conduct with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
2. Isaiah Nikko Meza pleaded guilty to seven counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument, and one count each Disorderly Conduct with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. He faces between 5 to 13 years in prison at the time of sentencing. His sentencing hearing is scheduled on March 30, 2020.
3. Israel Xavier Meza pleaded guilty to four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument, and one count each of Disorderly Conduct with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. He faces between 5 to 13 years in prison at the time of sentencing. His sentencing hearing is scheduled on March 30, 2020.
4. Erubiel Alexis Bojorquez pleaded guilty to three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. He was sentenced on January 15, 2020, to 3.5 years in prison.