“Monster” Put Behind Bars

A Carpinteria gang member known as “Monster” was the last of six defendants to be sentenced in relation to a 2007 fight and subsequent assault on a witness to the fight — who happened to be an off-duty Santa Barbara police sergeant. “Monster” received a punishment of 19 years to life in prison for his involvement.

The prosecutor in the case characterized 29-year-old Edward Galvez as the most culpable in the attacks which took place on June 6, 2007. Galvez, the only one of the six to see his case go to trial, was convicted of robbery, witness intimidation, and assault likely to produce great bodily injury. All charges included gang enhancements. He was also found guilty of being an active participant in a street gang by a Santa Barbara jury in October 2009.

The charges stem from a verbal altercation at Carpinteria and Eugenia Avenues that escalated into a violent fight, with six subjects — all members of the Carpas gang — attacking a group of four. According to authorities, no weapons were seen, and injuries were minor. However, a witness to the altercation, Sgt. Charles McChesney of the Santa Barbara Police Department, called 911 to report the incident and was quickly confronted by a number of the suspects, including Galvez. They proceeded to attack McChesney and tried to take his cell phone. He sustained internal bleeding, a broken rib, and had to have reconstructive surgery on his knee because of the attack. The group only stopped the beating when authorities arrived on the scene. Galvez, though quickly identified as being part of the attack, was not captured until months later.