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SALT LAKE CITY — A Kearns man already facing multiple felony charges in connection with two recent shootings is now facing additional charges tied to a sexual abuse case that police say led to one of the shootings.
Angel Daniel Canal-Lepe, 18, was charged Tuesday in 3rd District Court with sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony; plus retaliation against a witness and witness tampering, third-degree felonies.
From March through Sept. 24, Canal-Lepe inappropriately touched a teen girl he was dating, according to charging documents. On Sept. 24, after the girl's mother found out what was happening, she confronted Canal-Lepe in her home.
"(She) stated that when she confronted Canal-Lepe about (her daughter's) accusations, Canal-Lepe called a friend and used several 'gang phrases' that she did not understand," the charges state.
A short time later, Phillip Ray Cordova, 18, of West Valley City, drove up to the apartment complex, near 1850 West and 1450 North, and began firing shots into the home, according to the charges. Police found 14 bullet holes in the front door of one apartment and two more in a neighboring apartment. No injuries were reported.
After he was arrested, Canal-Lepe admitted that "he called his 'homie to pull up and protect him,'" charging documents state.
Canal-Lepe and Cordova were each charged with six counts of aggravated assault and 14 counts of illegal discharge of a firearm, third-degree felonies, in connection with the shooting.
Three days after that incident, on Sept. 27, Unified police say Canal-Lepe and Cordova were involved in another shooting. In that case, the men fired six rounds at a car near 4220 W. 5500 South that drove by with people inside whom they recognized, the charging documents state. Both were charged with an additional six counts of discharge of a firearm and two counts of aggravated assault, third-degree felonies.
Canal-Lepe and Cordova were arrested Sept. 29 following a lengthy standoff with the Unified Police Department's SWAT officers at 4351 W. 5780 South.
Police say both men are documented gang members and "Angel has an extensive criminal history involving violent incidents." Canal-Lepe now faces a total of 31 felony charges from all three cases.
