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Christopher Sanchez
LAS CRUCES - A gang member has accepted a plea deal a year after shooting at a car of people he thought were laughing at him.

Christopher Michael Sanchez, 19, of the 1300 block of Panlener Avenue, pleaded guilty March 8 to one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of shooting at a motor vehicle. Two other counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Sentencing before 3rd Judicial District Court Judge Lisa Schultz has been scheduled for May 9, according to court records.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on March 17, 2010, police were called to the Golden Corral restaurant near Telshor Boulevard and Lohman Avenue after Sanchez fired a handgun at another vehicle. One bullet hole was visible on a rear-quarter panel of the victims' vehicle, police said. No one was injured.

"A known, violent gang member" with a multitude of gang tattoos, according to court documents, Sanchez was also one of the pallbearers Wednesday in what police termed a "gang funeral" for a 22-year-old allegedly shot by a rival gang member.

Sanchez is free on bond awaiting trial for two other violent incidents from 2010.

In April 2010, Sanchez was arrested for his alleged involvement in the armed robbery of a 59-year-old man's gold necklace at the Nacho Shell convenience store. Sanchez allegedly approached the man and blamed him for nearly causing a traffic crash a few minutes earlier. Sanchez was charged with robbery and

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tampering with evidence and transported to jail.

And on Sept. 11, 2010, he was arrested after a scuffle with police outside the room where his girlfriend was giving birth. Police, who were looking for Sanchez in connection with a shots-fired call at Las Cruces High School, say he was in possession of 7.1 grams of cocaine.

Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462