Jurors find man guilty of murder in 2011 shooting death in Castroville

A Castroville man has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of another man in May 2011.

Jurors also found Alberto Cortez, 22, guilty of active participation in a gang and of several enhancements, including use of a firearm.

Prosecutors said Cortez, also of Castroville, shot and killed Jose Cisneros on Haight Street on May 7, 2011. Cisneros was shot multiple times and died at the scene.

Security cameras at a nearby residence recorded the incident and Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies were able to use that to help them track down Cortez.

Cortez’s fellow gang member, Fernando Miranda, 26, drove Cortez to the scene and acted as a lookout, prosecutors said. Miranda was on parole for a gang crime at the time of the murder, and records from his GPS bracelet placed him at the scene of the homicide, as did the video footage.

Miranda previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon and gang enhancements. He faces more than 42 years in prison when he is sentenced on Oct. 17.

Cortez will be sentenced Oct. 22. He faces a minimum of 50 years to life in prison.